Keith Dietrich
- (book artist) Heléne van Aswegen
- (bookbinding by) Arthur Wadman
- (bookbinding by) Lize van Robbroeck
- (introduction by)
Pages: 36pp; unpaged (116pp); 32pp Size: 255mm Collation: Set of three books Binding: Slipcase - grey; Red title Technique: Digital print Inscription: Signed by the artist Edition: #2/14
Place publication: Stellenbosch, RSA Publisher: The Strange Press ISBN: 978-0-620-39683-7
Volume 3: illustrative. Accordion fold with final page tucked into cover-flap. 32pp.
The first of three individually bound books in dark grey laminated paper on hard cover boards. This book is conventionally stitch-bound in signatures and glue-bound onto the cover boards. The three books are housed in a matching slip case with the title in red as well as thaak and Pacaltsdorp. Book one contains the following essays: 'Introduction' - by Lize van Robbroeck; 'e following names: Genadendal, Zakrivier, Mgqukhwebe River, Griquatown, Kokskraal, Kuruman, Bethelsdorp,Warmbad, Heinochabis, Mamre, Leliefontein, Pella, ZuurbrEarly mission enterprise in South Africa' - by Keith Dietrich and 'Via Dolorosa / Sabat Mater'.
Medium: Digital print on Innova Smooth Cotton High White paper.
The second of three individually bound books in dark grey laminated paper on hard cover boards. The pages open out from the central gutter revealing overhead images of landscapes, baptismal fonts and various graphic elements. When viewed from the side, the landscape elements continue around the outer edge of the folded pages producing a distinct for-edge. The first 14 mission stations in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) are explored as the '14 stages of the cross'. The Moravian missionary Georg Schmidt established the first mission station at Zoetemelks Valleij in 1738, and the following year moved to Baviaanskloof (later renamed Genadendal). Schmidt was forsed to abandon his work and leave the country in 1744. In 1792 The Moravian Mission Society sent Christiaan Kuhnel, Daniel Schwinn and Hendrik Marsveld to take up the mission again. The last mission of the 14 stations is Hoogekraal, later renamed Pacaltsdorp after the German missionary Carl Pacalt who established the station in 1813.
Medium: Digital print on Innova Smooth Cotton High White paper.
The third of three individually bound books in dark grey laminated paper on hard cover boards. This book is accordion-bound with the first page glued onto the front cover board. The last page fits into a card slot glued onto the inside back cover board so as to fully display the pages. Pages show images of dry river beds which, when fully opened can be read as a continuous landscape. On the pre-title page appears the following: Fac MeCruce Custoddiri, Arte Christi Praemuniri Contoveri Gratia. This is from the Stabat Mater, a hymn and Catholic liturgy linked to the Stations of the Cross. The verses appear in the book as 4 opening, 14 body and 2 closing sections. Earth, water and baptism are joined as a liminal space.
Medium: Digital print on Innova Smooth Cotton High White paper
Exhibition notes: Item 0238 - C6a ZA on Booknesses: Artists' books from the Jack Ginsberg Collection.
UJ Art Gallery, University of Johannesburg
25 March to 5 May 2017
Samplings: South African Artists' Books
Basement Gallery, WAM
26 March to 6 July 2019
Ref: GB/12423
Articles
Early Mission Enterprise in South Africa Keith Dietrich p14