I've always had an interest in chess; although, I'm a terrible player. Many see chess as little more than a strategic game while I see an eternally waging war. The kingdoms are doomed to fight each other, die for their king and inevitably win or lose, but, even then, the members of each side will always be resurrected and forced to try again. Regardless of the outcome, the pieces cannot escape their fates. In this piece, I explore not only the game of chess, but also the sad realities hidden by political speeches made in times of war, victory, and surrender.
The covers of the two books I have produced so far. Each is 9" x 9" and features an engraved wooden chessboard on the cover.
This is the final move in the chess game I was referencing for narrative. It was played by Bent Larsen and Boris Spassky in 1970 at a tournament called USSR vs Rest of the World. The game ended with a forfeit after Spassky's pawn reached the end of the board and was promoted to Queen.
Part One: Morale
Based on the vague and florished words spoken by those attempting to motivate soldiers against a selfish cause. This section features 17 hand lettered pages.
In the printed book, this collection is housed on the inside cover. The spine runs horizontally and the pages are stitched together so that the reader must tear each page in order to read the next.
Part Two: Victory
An analysis of the untold truths contained in a victory speech. This section is populated by ten 18" x 9" cut paper spreads. The 9" x 9" textblock was constructed by printing all ten pages on a 36" x 40" piece of paper and then cutting and folding it.
A look at the image I printed in order to construct a book made of a "single page."
A spread in the printed book.
Part Three: Surrender
A look at the confessions told by everyone when encountering a loss.
At the exhibition, the poster was hung on the wall, but within the book it can be viewed by taking out the pages of the book and unfolding them.
