Artist Books: "Elena, Unfolded"
Elena Ledesma Silva was born in 1928.
"Elena, Unfolded" is the set of seven artist books based on my mother’s nine original passports from the years 1945 to 1998.
As a starting point, I used a book-like structure for turning the pages. The visa stamp dates provided the timeline and so I sorted my archives and research to those dates. I distilled the nine passports into seven for some years when Elena didn't travel much.
Still, many things happened in those years.
I want the reader to interact with the structures, to unfold and reveal the events behind the dates, the life behind the visa stamps, my curated memories and selective recall.
I want you to hold the weight and size of Elena’s life in your hands and spend some time with her.
Click on an image to learn more.