Women Dream is a set of 3 nested boxes with collapsible walls connected by the type of net fabric used in wester veils. When lids are removed walls fall out flat, but are difficult to put back up when the boxes are reassembled. Text (some in romanized Arabic) appears on both sides of the walls of the boxes and describes the walls that Judeo, Christian and Islamic traditions impose upon women and their freedom. The text reflects these three viewpoints, but is unidentified forcing the viewer to consider how similar or different they may (or may not) be. When the third box is opened a tiny delicate feather is in the center of this book., Signed by the artist. For more information about Elsi Vasdal Ellis' books visit her web site at http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~vassdae/book_arts/index_2.html Women Dream received the Jurors' Honor Award at the 2001 Northwest Bookfest, October 20-21, Seattle, Washington. The award was created for this book because the jurors felt that the parts of the book were so well integrated that it would not be right to offer it an award in typography or bindng alone.
Letterpress printing sampler from EVE Press, created on a Vandercook 4 press by Elsie Vassdahl Ellis for use in a book dedicated to this type of printing press. Includes errata slip sewn into the center of the book., Signed by the artist; Library's copy does not have original envelope included
Accordion-folded pages are glued to one side of the paper-over-board covers and cloth-case binding. The book can be read as if the folded pages are part of a codex, or with the complete page block turned to the front, the back of the accordion can be read, or the accordion can be pulled fully out. Images and text run continuously over the folds. The book is about the horrors of war and specifically of genocide, discussing 20th century genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Iraq and El Salvador. Extensive personal notes by artist concerning her decision to make this book. Includes bibliographical references, Signed by the artist
Title from colophon booklet; 50 letters created by Elsi Vassdal Ellis written between Sept. 11, 2001 and Mar. 11, 2002, to Mohamed Atta, one of the hijackers believed to be at the controls of American Airlines Flight 11 that flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001; Each letter is 1 folded sheet and is in separate envelope, stamped and addressed Mohammed Atta, World Trade Center, New York, New York , with return address label EVE, Harmony Road, USA. ;Accompanied by colophon booklet, sewn in black wraps, in envelope; Issued in red and gold box (13 x 26 cm.), with letter opener, UO A&AA Library has copy no. 12 (Majed Moqed), signed by the artist
Quotes from Thomas Paine, John Ashcroft, Robert H. Jackson, Ben Franklin, and the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001are included with Ellis' own writing in this single-cut maze book about the tensions between the notions of national security and liberty to speak and act freely. Printed on both sides in blue, red, and black on pink paper, with one gold star mounted on colophon page.
Text and imagery in this book are about the cost of war in human injury and the ease with which government officials who have not been to war themselves commit others to fighting. The lyrics of two songs, When Johnny Comes Marching Home and Johnny I Hardly Know Ye are used throughout the book. Text is printed primarily in red and black. Book structure is an accordion fold book but each page is actually held together using adheside and strips of paper on the opposite side of the page; The strips of paper used to hold the pages together are maroon and printed with text; The front cover of the accordion folds aroung the book to create a flutter book, but the back cover is not glued, so the reader can unwrap the cover to read the verso sides of the pages. Images are digitally manipulated., Signed by the artist
