Object n. Object v.
by Jacobs, Diane
- Used
- Fine
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Fine
- Seller
-
Portland, Maine, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
U. of Washington contextualized the work as follows: "Diane Jacobs' book object n. object v. deals with the many ways in which women are seen as objects as compared with women who object to being classified. The "objectified" women are represented by the model Greek woman in ancient Greece; the freespirited "objecting" women are represented by Amazons. The exterior of the book is a finely-crafted, oval-shaped wooden box, its curved surface inscribed with the names of Amazon women. A belt-like leather fastener is undone to swing open the box and reveal two units, each fitted with inscribed glass panels. Partially in view behind these panelsâresting on shelves on the left and attached to vertical panels on the rightâare artist-made artifacts, painted, embossed and sculpted imagery, and collected ephemera.
The inscription on the left side describes the ancient Greek notion that a woman's
beauty was inherently dangerous, that her sexuality must be controlled and she must be
contained. These were the attitudes directed toward, for example, Helen of Troy, who is famously gazed upon but who some argue has little agency, and whose story is alluded to here; Ruby Blondell's study Helen of Troy: Beauty, Myth, Devastation informs this piece in its powerful exploration of female subjectivity and identity. The artifacts on the shelves include
representations of eyes, teeth and breasts. The breasts have been carefully crafted from
eggshellsâa most interesting choice of materials that not only provides perfectly accurately shaped breasts but also connotes the sexual and reproductive functions of breasts.
These artifacts, along with others, lie on the horizontal shelves as though the women they
represent must accept these stereotypes lying down.
The right side of the book depicts Amazonsâwomen who choose to be self-defined. The
inscription on the glass panel on this side 1 contains such phrases as "self reliant," "warrior women," "belong to no man," and "free to make love on her own terms." These panels,
some of which slide out, are vertical, standing upright like the Amazon warriors. On one panel is a text reading, "The fantasy of female perfection turns out to be a male illusion." Other panels include military dog tags and Jacobs' graphically powerful paintings of Amazon warriors.
Jacobs, who often uses hair in her art, weaves the title of her piece object n. object v. into
two combs using horsehair. Although Jacobs typically uses human hair, which is often her
own, in this instance, the human hair did not result in a readable text. In searching for a
different material, Jacobs experimented with horsehair, which proved to be a suitable weft
and allowed Jacobs to create clear and legible text. Horsehair also operates on a symbolic level, because women in antiquity were often compared to wild horses that had to be tamed.
object n. object v. invites a comparison of the roles of ancient Greek women and free-thinking Amazons. Sight and touch, intellect and emotion come into play as the viewer reads the
text and handles the objects. The comparison of the "ideal woman"âthe woman as defined by othersâand the woman who defines herself is a theme that began in antiquity is and is ongoing today.
Both Girdled and object n. object v. pay homage to archaeological and anthropological
evidence and oral traditions. But each book does this in a very different way: Girdled uncovers multiple meanings in a single "archeological" find; object n, object v. compares varied roles of women and their points of view from ancient times to the present. Both books are intelligent, thought-provoking and beautifully crafted. When viewed singly, each book
provides a rich and complete experience. As a pair, they form a fascinating and complex
dialogue on definitions of womanhood." [Just One Look, 2016]. Bright and unmarred. Wood and glass custom case with laser cut text, materials include glass, chicken egg shells, plaster, tangerine skin, gold leaf, acrylic balls, antique glass/aluminum slide mounts, India ink on vellum, oil paint, water color, human hair, wood, leather, aluminum combs, ceramic, military dog tags, and molded handmade cotton paper. np. Numbered limited edition of 4.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Lux Mentis, Booksellers (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 9240
- Title
- Object n. Object v.
- Author
- Jacobs, Diane
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Scantron Press
- Place of Publication
- Portland, Oregon
- Date Published
- 2016
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
Terms of Sale
Lux Mentis, Booksellers
U.S. postage is $6.50 for the 1st title/volume and $2.00 for each additional title/volume and are sent Media Mail, Insured (except for sets and oversized items, which are calculated on a per order basis). Express mail, overseas rates and special handling are available on request. Payment is expected in advance by all but institutional buyers unless arrangements are made in advance. All orders are shipped via the United States Post Office or FedEx unless otherwise requested. Maine residents must add 5.5% sales tax unless a resale or tax exemption certificate is sent. Items are returnable within 10 days if not as described for full refund. Any other return is handled on a case by case basis, our goal being the complete satisfaction of all parties involved. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us at http://www.luxmentis.com.
About the Seller
Lux Mentis, Booksellers
About Lux Mentis, Booksellers
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- Vellum
- Vellum is a sheet of specialty prepared skin of lamb, calf, or goat kid used for binding a book or for printing and writing. ...