Over the span of a year, Jody Alexander, created a series of altered books under the title Exposed Spines. This series of work is a celebration of the most beautiful part of the book that is so often covered. Each object is comprised of discarded books, fabric and thread.
At the end of the year in 2012, Jody exhibited Preparing for Evanescence at the Cabrillo Art Gallery in Aptos, California. This massive installation combined three different series: Sedimentals, Uphosterables and Suspendables. The Exposed Spines pieces are considered Uphosterables in this installation, although they were created before the concept of this exhibit, they were the catalyst.
Statement for Preparing for Evanescence at Cabrillo Art Gallery
Preparing for Evanescence addresses the relative ephemeral nature of humans compared to the belongings that we accumulate, and how we cope with our mortal awareness. The treatment of the objects in this installation exhibits a concern for their well-being, and the caretaker’s need to create and protect in the face of powerlessness and dematerialization. Each possession has been attentively prepared and placed for safekeeping between the folds of fabric, stitches of thread, in the sediment of a household.
In the final days in this space the caretaker found that he/she was evanescing – or gradually disappearing. The treatment of objects was as much for their care as it was a necessary process for the caretaker – a busying of the hands, a distraction from the inevitable. Equal attention has been given to objects of use and sentiment as well as space and time.
