PROOF
Photographs from the collection of
Robert E. Jackson
Introduction by Ben Alper
Fiction & Observations by Edith Fikes
This book presents proof photographs from the collection of Robert E. Jackson alongside fictional responses by Edith Fikes. These rough, preliminary prints were used as utilitarian and notational tools to assist with image selection, cropping and retouching. Proof juxtaposes a diverse selection of these images with a series of highly personal and idiosyncratic narrative fragments, generating a sequence that re-contextualizes this vernacular imagery in surprising and ambiguous ways.
The images and texts collectively explore the negotiation of the photographic act itself, the performance of identity and vanity and the deep vulnerability that is often laid bare during the process. While being predominantly from the mid-20th century, these proof photographs are decidedly contemporary. They foreshadow our pop cultural obsession with retouching and identity construction, while also retrospectively pointing to a profound material shift in how we make, experience, and preserve photographic histories now.
116 pages, 48 plates, perfect bound
Screen printed covers by Supergraphic 11 x 9 in. (27.94 x 22.86 cm.)
First Edition: 250 copies
ISBN: 978-1-64999-880-4
Collector’s Edition of 12
Each special edition of PROOF is signed and numbered by Robert E. Jackson and has a different color cover screen printed on Mohawk Paper. In addition, each includes an original proof photograph from Jackson’s collection. None of these photographs are included in the book.
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Sleeper is a publishing project working with photography, design, and text to realize artists’ ideas in printed form. While books will always be a core part of our output, we identify more as a studio than strictly as a publisher. As a studio we can cultivate a fluid and experimental practice that is more concerned with bringing certain ideas to life than it is about producing a particular kind of object.
Sleeper is Ben Alper and Ross Mantle and operates out of Carrboro, NC and Pittsburgh, PA.
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Sleeper is Ben Alper and Ross Mantle and operates out of Carrboro, NC and Pittsburgh, PA.
Contact
MOVES FROM THE ARCHIVE
Photographs by Aaron R. Turner
Essay by Terence Washington
86 pages, 57 plates
10 x 8 in. (25.4 x 20.32 cm.)
Open spine binding with a tri-folded and die cut hardcover
First Edition: 500 copies
MISPLACED FORTUNES
Photographs by Ross Mantle
Short story by Edith Fikes
164 pages, 86 plates
9 x 6 1/4 in. (22.86 x 15.87 cm.)
Hard cover, smyth sewn with a two-color foil stamp
First Edition: 500 copies
A NEW NOTHING No. 1-3 BUNDLE
Three books, edited by John Pilson, Dan Paz and S*an D. Henry-Smith
Varying lengths
8 x 6” each
Perfect bound with a foil stamped softcover
Open Editions
A NEW NOTHING No. 3
Edited by S*an D. Henry-Smith
64 pages, 38 plates
8 x 6”
Perfect bound with a foil stamped softcover
Open Edition
A NEW NOTHING No. 2
Edited by Dan Paz
56 pages, 27 plates
8 x 6”
Perfect bound with a foil stamped softcover
Open Edition
A NEW NOTHING No. 1
Edited by John Pilson
78 pages, 29 plates
8 x 6”
Perfect bound with a foil stamped softcover
Open Edition
PROOF
Photographs from the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Introduction by Ben Alper
Fiction and Observations by Edith Fikes
Proof, 1st Ed.
PROOF Collector’s Edition
12 different custom color covers
1 Original Proof Print from the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
$125
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MISPLACED FORTUNES T-SHIRT
Bella Canvas, 4.2 oz 100% combed and ringspun cotton
HEADSTONE T-SHIRT — BLACK + WHITE
Gildan T-Shirt, 4.5 oz pre-shrunk 100% ringspun cotton
HEADSTONE T-SHIRT — GREEN + GOLD
Bella Canvas, 4.2 oz 100% combed and ringspun cotton
HEADSTONE T-SHIRT — ORANGE + BLUEBella Canvas, 4.2 oz 100% combed and ringspun cotton
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CLOUD BEANIE
Blue-Gray short height beanie with an embroidered cloud
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