The Reading Corner with Gabriel Kuri pt.2

"I love books. By making my own, I learned that they do not have to be second to nor a derivative of my sculptural practice. Whether they are linked to a body or period of work, or exist completely independently, I always make an effort for them to have a life of their own. Books are material memory and register, key concepts in my understanding of what art is and what art can do. Books allow me to see my work as a collection of images. Images as pieces of evidence, metaphors, or signs, or simply—but no less importantly—as an essay of colour. I can see my practice through the narrative resulted from turning pages, which is quite different to pacing around a space.⁠
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Books have clear boundaries of size, format, material and binding that I always find helpful rather than limiting. I like to look at my practice through the limited structure of a book format. This shift of mind frame and optics is always helpful and never constraining. After the visible choices of colour, paper and layout in a few of my books, I guess one can see an inclination towards an aesthetics that embraces ordering and didactic principles. Making books is methodical, like my work. The methodology, the technique and of course the teamwork they involve, give me great pleasure, topped by the always welcome sense of surprise of finally holding the embodiment of an idea. I love it that books are mostly consumed intimately. And of course, I love paper." – Gabriel Kuri