Search: Books about Artists Books


Introduction |  Basic |  Guided |  Advanced |  Tips  | Downloads


    Full Details


Dissecting Disliking

Item date(s): 2010

Helene Botha


Size: 277mm
Technique: Digital print
Edition: Unique


Place publication: (Potchefstroom, RSA)
Publisher: The artist

Reference note:
The artists states:

'The book is case-bound with 24 illustrated and designed pages, and 50 blank pages. It explores seemingly irrational dislikes or responses to objects, sensations and experiences. It starts off with food dislikes - a common theme, since almost every person can relate to a certain kind of food they prefer to cut out of their diet. I then explore my dislike of eggs to a point where it goes beyond my sensory function of taste and becomes an emotional connotation that I made with the image of egg and tomato sauce - an image that makes me think of a chicken being crushed with lots of blood. The book then progresses towards the end with more rational dislikes such as my sensory sensitivity as a child: I was extremely irritated by certain sensory experiences. Although this has passed, I still get anxious about such situations. All these experiences - which are often not even related to the object - bring about reactions which shape the state of our minds and give us our unique and subjective view. This journey made me understand the subconscious workings of my attitude towards the things that I cut out of my life. The book made me face aspects of my life that I normally ignore because of uncomfortable feelings towards these aspects. The blank pages at the back of the book leave room for the reader/viewer to engage with their subjective dislikes and to become part of the journey that explores the reasons why we see objects and react to sensations and experiences the way we do.'

Exhibition notes:
Included on the exhibition 'Transgressions and Boundaries of the Page', exhibited at WOORDFEES 2010. Archive Room in JS Gericke Library, University of Stellenbosch, 1st - 6th March 2010; The Gallery of the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 15th April - 13th May 2010; the FADA Gallery, Faculty of Art Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg, 12th - 30th July 2010.

Ref: DP/10055














Images courtesy Wessie van der Westhuizen NWU




© Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts (JGCBA). All rights reserved.