Amy Bassin

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, cover
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, chipboard, linen spine, Schut 180gr. paper, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018

Head First Into Emotional Evolution a trilogy of artist books that explore gender inequalities in a time when American women’s rights are under attack within our right-wing culture. The trilogy shows an evolution from helplessness towards empowerment done in collaboration with writer Mark Blickley and visual poet Frie J. Jacobs.

In Book Two—“AI, AE (Saving Face)”— women hide their identities, the face they save is their individuality as they hide behind blank and empty stares. It is a protective mask to the incomprehension and dismissiveness of toxic masculinity. Yet, the image of the masked woman with a double-edged sword paired with an obliterated redacted page from a history book shows women battling for their rights.

All three books are composed of inkjet prints with hand-painted additions of scans of drawings and collages, 2- and 3- page spreads that create flaps, fold-outs and cut-outs in various that reveal and conceal. On each front cover title, with either their vowels or consonants redacted underscore women’s need to battle gender repression.

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, title page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, chipboard, linen spine, Schut 180gr. paper, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018 

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018 

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior spread 
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, chipboard, linen spine, Schut 180gr. paper, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018 

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018

AI, AE (Saving Face)
Book 2 of the artist book trilogy, Head First Into Emotional Evolution
Hand-made artist book, interior page
Collaboration with Frie J. Jacobs & Mark Blickley
Archival inkjet prints, acrylic, ink, pencil, Caran D'ache crayons, chipboard, linen spine, paper: Schut, 180gr, Jacob's binding
8"x12," 24 pages, Edition of 5, 2018.