Seasonal Turns

Seasonal Turns is an artists' book published in 1994 by artist and author Bea Nettles.

Each booklet in Seasonal Turns was created from cardstock that printed on both sides using offset lithography, and then folded into an accordion format.

Historical Significance

Bea Nettles' work often lies at the intersection of different artistic mediums and frequently employs photographic experimentation. Seasonal Turns specifically combines photography with a book-like format. Nettles was one of many artists who began experimenting with new image production processes in the 1960s and 1970s. She continues to teach art and bookmaking courses at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she currently resides.

Physical Characteristics

Each of the booklets in Seasonal Turns is printed on a thick, glossy cardstock paper, using the technique of offset lithography, in which printable ink is transferred from one surface to the final surface. The booklets are smooth to the touch, and fold in accordion style. Each of the booklets is printed in a different monochrome, sepia tone.

Photographs

The photographs in Seasonal Turns comprise it's main form of textuality, as there is no written text in the book with the exception of penciled in marginalia from the book's acquisition at the University of Pennsylvania Kislak Center for Rare Books. Many of the photographs are taken from Nettles' previous works, such as stitched triptychs and the series Turning 50.