HomeStore

Open

Open

First edition of Open by Brian Griffin (1986). Medium format hardcover in near fine condition. Cover signed by the artist. Comes in original slipcase. Shelf wear to cover. Markings on the first page due to age.\ Photographs are not visible, in order to view, you must tear open each page, this is due to the design. Please see "about" and photos for reference. 

About

This is Brian Griffin’s extremely rare photo book ‘Open’, which was featured in Martin Parr and Gerry Badger’s The Photobook: A History, vol. 2. 
“Open was made after the death of his father and of his close friend, the graphic designer Barney Bubbles. It serves as a memorial. You have to open the book to get to heaven, but opening it – cutting the tape and folded pages – destroys it. The book is a metaphor for life, the further we get into it, the more knowledge we gain, but the closer we are to the final end and its closure. Like all Griffin’s books, it has higher production values than the usual self-published photobooks of the period and is presented like a Japanese book, where packaging is everything. Such a concept also has a special commercial advantage, because serious book collectors are honour-bound to buy two copies – one to open and read, the other to remain closed and inviolate.”
$268.41
Open—
$268.41
Product image 1
Product image 2
Product image 3
Product image 4
Product image 5
Product image 6

Description

First edition of Open by Brian Griffin (1986). Medium format hardcover in near fine condition. Cover signed by the artist. Comes in original slipcase. Shelf wear to cover. Markings on the first page due to age.\ Photographs are not visible, in order to view, you must tear open each page, this is due to the design. Please see "about" and photos for reference. 

About

This is Brian Griffin’s extremely rare photo book ‘Open’, which was featured in Martin Parr and Gerry Badger’s The Photobook: A History, vol. 2. 
“Open was made after the death of his father and of his close friend, the graphic designer Barney Bubbles. It serves as a memorial. You have to open the book to get to heaven, but opening it – cutting the tape and folded pages – destroys it. The book is a metaphor for life, the further we get into it, the more knowledge we gain, but the closer we are to the final end and its closure. Like all Griffin’s books, it has higher production values than the usual self-published photobooks of the period and is presented like a Japanese book, where packaging is everything. Such a concept also has a special commercial advantage, because serious book collectors are honour-bound to buy two copies – one to open and read, the other to remain closed and inviolate.”
Open | Setanta Books