Eye Contact is a tangible representation of what it feels like to have central vision loss. The static in my central vision makes it difficult for me to hold eye contact with my loved ones, so I inevitably pretend to look them in the eye. There were two editions of this book produced in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 edition is part of the PSBA Members’ Exhibition held at the Collins Memorial Library from June 4 - August 1 and at The Evergreen Stata College from September 29 - December 20.
Eye Contact. 2024. Edition of 3.
emulsion lift. letterpress. intaglio. braille. stencil.
typeface: Craw Clarendon
paper: BFK Rives
This accordion-fold book includes four interior pages of emulsion lift portraits in black and white of people in my life: my partner, myself, my parents, and my friend. Below their portrait is the fading words, “Look me in the eyes.” Over their eyes, printed in braille, are the words, “Can’t you see I’m trying?” Each panel plays with this conversation, with the first page reading “Can’t” in braille and “Look” in text. The second panel reads “you” in braille and “me” in text. The third, “see I’m” in braille and “in the” in text. The final page, “trying?” in braille and “eyes” in text.
On the last two interior pages is a poem written first in braille and then in print that reads, “I perform the act / of eye contact, / of vigor and tact, / of how to react.” The final page includes a copper plate intaglio print inspired by a medical image showing the degeneration in my eye. The cover page includes the title in printed braille , and the back cover page includes a colophon written in braille and print that reads, “I remember your eyes through photographs. 2024 Poet Ray Prints.” Along the back of the interior pages is a stenciled static pattern in white, black, and purple.
Eye Contact. 2023. Edition of 3.
emulsion lift. letterpress. braille. stencil.
typeface: Futura
paper: BFK Rives
This accordion-fold book includes four interior pages of emulsion lift portraits in color of people in my life: my partner, myself, my parents, and my friend. Below their portrait is the fading words, “look me in the eyes.” Over their eyes, printed in braille, are the same words. On the last two interior pages is a poem written first in braille and then in print that reads, “I perform the act / of eye contact, / of vigor and tact, / of how to react.” The cover page is blind-embossed with the words “eye contact” and the back cover page includes a colophon written in braille and print that reads, “I remember your eyes through photographs. 2023 Poet Ray Prints.” Along the back of the interior pages is a stenciled static pattern in white, black, and red.
