Artists' Books
Files
Download Artists' Book Preview (4.9 MB)
Creation Date
2019
Keywords
alphabet books; wars; conflict; armed conflicts; English (language); Sinhala (language); Tamil (language); social conflict; civil wars; Sri Lanka; language-related concepts; social issues
Description
106, 478, 430, xxxii pages : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm. 'The A to Z of Conflict' is a tri-lingual artists' book by ten contemporary artists. It imagines what a commonplace children's ABC book would look like if all the entries were chosen in relation to words about conflict, and words born out of conflict. The project uses English, Sinhala, and Tamil, the three languages spoken in Sri Lanka, a country torn apart by a brutal civil war. From afar the compendium of entries testifies to the way language defines us linguistically, socially, and politically. Up close it reveals how the complex workings of language have the potential to conjoin and divide us. Each copy of The A to Z of Conflict is bound in one of six combinations, reflecting how three languages can be positioned without giving one language greater status over the other. Drawing on the history of language conflict in Sri Lanka, this artists' book serves as a collectivemeans to think about how language rights, exclusion, status, and planning might serve us betterin the future than they have in the past. Artists: Abdul Halik Azeez, Muhanned Cader, Arjuna Gunarathne, Nina Mangalanayagam, Nillanthan, Anomaa Rajakaruna, T. Shanaathanan, Anushiya Sundaralingam, ChandragupthaThenuwara, Kamala Vasuki.-- Idea books Title from paper slipcase and colophon. Text in English, Sinhalese, and Tamil. Exposed sewn binding. Full-size belly band with printed title and list of contributors. SEI
RISD Fleet Library Catalog Record
Press
[Sri Lanka] : Raking Leaves, 2019.
Rights
©[Sri Lanka] : Raking Leaves, 2019.
Materials / Techniques
typesetting; slipcases
Measurements
25 cm