I did the design development for this 632-page international anthology that juxtaposes original essays about the novelist W.G. Sebald's unique use of images in his books together with artists' projects inspired by Sebald's work and methods. I am also an Associate Editor of the volume and a contributor.

Links to more information:
• Downoladable PDF of sample page spreads
• General project information
• information about the special editions.

The trade edition is available through D.A.P. (1-800-338-BOOK), the ICI, or at amazon.com.

What the critics say:

"The editors and publishers have done their work magnificently: the layout is generous and clear, the paper and illustrations are excellent, the structure is disciplined and subtle, the documentation, especially the bibliography...is impeccable." [Richard Sheppard, Journal of European Studies 39:1, 2008]

"meticulously and beautifully produced." [Megan Ratner, Art on Paper, 2008]

"simply a gorgeous book." [Bev, Excelsior blog, 2008]

For more reviews, check this page.

The writings collected here use Walter Benjamin's landmark 1937 essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" as a springboard to apply Benjamin's insights to a diverse selection of topics. Presented in the book's margins are excerpts from The Manual of Lost Ideas, together with a commentary on the Manual by Arturo Ott.

What the critics say:
"It's been months since I've been this excited about a book that's scholarly in nature. Benjamin's Blind Spot is two books in one: a collection of essays by various authors who consider Benjamin's treatment of aura; and reproductions of the Manual of Lost Ideas, an odd compendium of art, text, and objects.... The impressive use of typography, editing and design made me think about aura as I read the book. And Arturo Ott's descriptions of the contents of the Manual are eerie and provocative." [Joanne Diaz, amazon.com]

"[a] concise and rewarding collection of essays.... cleverly provokes far-reaching reconsideration of the lingering presence of blind spots and aura in today's art and culture." [Angela Glass, Afterimage, 2002]

Book design by forger.com (my design alias). My design uses my 1999 Checco font

Book design by forger.com.

In 1928, Georges Bataille published his "pornographic" novella Story of the Eye under the pseudonym Lord Auch. Infamous in its own day, Story of the Eye has since become a pivotal text for art history, literature, and cultural criticism. This volume presents essays, artworks and research related to Story of the Eye. It is the only anthology to reproduce the original prints created by André Masson and Hans Bellmer for the first two editions of Story of the Eye.

What the critics say:
"This is the first time anyone has collected together a series of articles about the publication history of Story of the Eye.... [The book] not only delves into this interesting and complicated history but also reproduces all the Andre Masson drawings from the 1928 version and all the Hans Bellmer etchings from the 1944 version. This book is both fascinating and completely essential for any Georges Bataille devotee." [Brian from Goodreads, 2007]