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American Corn
Author: ORGANIK: K. Allerslev, M. Weber, C.K. Wilde w/ L. Smith
Edition: Unique
Pages: 44 pages, 8.5 X 10 inches with some variant page sizes
Binding: Coptic, w/ eggshell mosaic by K. Allerslev
Media: acrylic paint and markers, ink jet printing, Japanese black ink, various other inks, graphite dust painting, turmeric pigment, walnut ink, xylene ink transfer, wax and graphite rubbing from various implements and other media.
Paper: Primarily "Beeholder" paper made of cotton, hemp, and an entire haircut's worth of Christopher Wilde's hair, a genetic signature embedded in the pulp. The paper was formed in Stevens Point, WI with Jeff Morin. There are some other papers of various origin as well.
American Corn is suffused, both in actual material and subject matter, with mass produced and processed corn. The eggshells on the covers are formed by corn eaten by chickens, and the diet of the United States (and thus the artists) is based on corn. In terms of culture the slang word 'corny' was never more appropriate. Like the stomachs of cows bloated with gas due to their consumption of tons of corn that their digestive systems were not designed to metabolize, Americans are stuffed with propaganda and advertising, hot air that only produces bullshit, gas and global warming.
Nameless assassinated freedom fighters and fashion models peer through the ubiquitous presence of corn and rats (these are two organisms that are routinely genetically manipulated for research and technology) while Weber's self-righteous hipster-street-punk rant flows from page to page. Colliding unpopular and popular culture the American Corn book poses text and image in an uncomfortable relationship that interrogates celebrity, anonymity, and high fructose corn syrup.
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