Real Fiction(1)(2): A Journey(3) to(4) the Imagined World of Jose Saramago(5)

‘Real Fiction’ is an artist’s book. The work exemplifies the central focus of my practice: the use of the artist’s book as a locus for the combination of critical writing with visual art as a means of investigating literature. This focus is informed by Reader Response theories in the field of literary studies, by the writings of Clive Phillpott and Richard Kostelanetz in the field of book art, and by traditions of Russian Futurist books, Fluxus, and Art and Language in the visual arts.

‘Real Fiction’ explores the visualisation of fiction by readers and the construction of place in fiction by an author. Specifically, it addresses these processes in the works of Portuguese author José Saramago. Juxtaposed with extracts from his novels are photographs I took of places and people that he has stated informed his fiction or that it seemed to me had done so. My own notes annotate these images, together forming a piece of extended writing that (1) describes the process of my search, (2) contextualises my search within the larger framework of current Saramago scholarship, and (3) seeks to develop my action based, visual approach to the study of literary works.

Emily Artinian

Subject Area: Artists' books and text-based art

Current Research

1. Participating in http://www.underconstructionhome.net/, a visual dialogue amongst Diasporan Armenian artists spread around the globe, exploring issues of identity and transnationality. This culminates in a group show - the Alternative Armenian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2007.
2. Participation in the collaborative project REGENERATOR, organised by the Centre for Fine Print Research, Bristol. 60 participating artists are 'regenerating' books that have been withdrawn from the University of the West of England Library.
3. Founded http://www.thestreamingbook.com/, video interviews with artists working with the book form - the first, and as yet only, research project dedicated to giving book artists a platform online to clearly display and talk through their work in this time based, 3D medium, for which still imagery provides inadequate documentation.
4.Current studio practice is focussed on a new series of works investigating the neurobiology of visualising narrative.

• http://www.emilyartinian.com/
• http://www.faction.org.uk/