Lyrical essays and photos from a field biologist during an East African drought. A plea and an apology, a love letter and a eulogy.
I had no idea when I started writing Maji Moto that it would take on such a life of its own. In late 2008, I began writing short blog posts for friends and family from my tent in “baboon camp.” I thought I would write about my research, about science, and about living in the bush in East Africa.
But by early 2009, what would become a very unordinary year had begun to unfold. Because the internet connection in the field is unpredictable and slow (tethered through a mobile phone), my posts were infrequent. The writing became more and more considered, condensed. Worked and reworked. In other words, they were not really like blog posts at all. The data that I was collecting for my dissertation research depended on a photographic method, so I spent most days out in the field, watching animals, with a camera and my thoughts.
As the drought of 2009 refused to yield, Maji Moto became my lifeline and I began to feel like a lifeline for it.
It finally rained in early 2010. I came home six months later with ten essays and a collection of photographs.
Collaborating with Dave Wofford of Horse & Buggy Press in Durham, North Carolina, we have produced a limited edition art book. It bears witness to the transformation of a physical and psychological landscape. Like I labored in the field, Dave has labored over the past year with each decision (paper weight, ink color, image editing, font, font spacing…you can’t imagine all the decisions) to create an art book art object that is tactile and intimate. Ten essays. An introduction. Over 40 photographs (mostly not on this site, so as to preserve their impact.) Two forewords (one by Harry Greene and a second by Donna Haraway).
The costs that are being covered by the Kickstarter campaign are:
- Indigo Printing (images and text) $4,900
- Cost of paper for book cover $400
- Cost of letterpress plates $275
- TOTAL $5,575
If the Kickstarter campaign exceeds its goal (this is a modest one, given actual costs), additional funds will not remotely go to waste. They will be allocated to mounting production costs: letterpress printing costs, costs of shipping to book binder in Texas, binding costs, broadside poster production (including additional letterpress plates), printing and framing photographs for the exhibit. This is a truly not-for-profit endeavor. It is a labor of love.
FAQ
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Yes! I have not posted many images on this page because I don't want to dilute their strength by taking them way out of context. But I do want backers to be able to see them! (Please please please respect copyright on these.) You can see the images that will be framed for exhibition by going here:
http://baboonsofamboseli.blogspot.com/2012/03/five-framed-images-for-horse-buggy.html
If you see another image that you would prefer to have framed instead, let me know and we can discuss that. (It will require additional framing because the images can't easily be swapped out of the frames.) These five have been selected to function particularly well with each other as a cohesive group.
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Again, I'm posting carefully on this page so as not to rip the work too terribly out of its appropriate context. But if you want to see what the images are that you can choose from for the single print pledge or for the deluxe edition pledge, please go here:
http://baboonsofamboseli.blogspot.com/2012/03/image-options-for-either-single-print.html
please respect copyright!
76
Backers
$10,199
pledged of $5,575 goal
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Funding period
Mar 20, 2012 -
Apr 19, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 13 backed
- Courtney Fitzpatrick 680 friends
Pledge $1 or more
1 backer
A big thank you on the Maji Moto website and regular updates about the book, associated exhibits, readings, etc.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $10 or more
8 backers
Maji Moto handprinted bookmark
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
11 backers
5 x 7 photographic print suitable for framing. You choose one from ten image options.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $35 or more
13 backers
Postcard packet. A selection of ten images and text excerpts appropriate for both mailing and framing.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $90 or more
4 backers Limited (89 of 93 left)
16 x 22 hand printed letterpress broadside poster (image and text excerpt) on 190g William Turner heavyweight rag paper. Ideal for framing. Giclee photographic print with text excerpt letterpress printed by hand using a Vandercook letterpress. You select one from four different image/design combinations.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $140 or more
25 backers Limited (75 of 100 left)
Special Edition copy of Maji Moto, numbered and signed by the artist. Ten lyrical essays accompanied by over forty photographs reproduced in full color on an Indigo press. Forewords by Harry Greene, renowned snake expert, and Donna Haraway, scholar of science studies. The book covers are letterpress printed by hand on a sumptuous heavyweight cover stock with wrap around foredge flaps. The flexible “over the shoulder/extended hollow” reinforced softcover binding will be handsewn with linen thread. A hand-printed bookmark and a photographic print (5 x 7) suitable for framing will accompany each book.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $220 or more
1 backer
Limited Edition copy of Maji Moto + one of the 16 x 22 Broadside posters.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $325 or more
2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)
Deluxe Edition copy of Maji Moto, lettered A-Z, signed by the artist, presented in a clamshell box with letterpress hand-printed label. Deluxe copies also feature a second, larger (11 x 14) photographic print of your choosing in addition to the 5 x 7.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $700 or more
3 backers Limited (3 of 6 left)
Deluxe Edition copy of Maji Moto, one 13 x 19 professionally framed print (unmatted, with spacers, behind museum glass) on Epson velvet fine art photo paper. Frames are all natural wood and ready to hang.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012
