In the spring of 2020, as the coronavirus spread first in China, then in Italy and finally across the entire globe, touching off a worldwide pandemic, more and more conspiracy theories also sprang up about the origin and spread of the virus. Social media and news networks played a major role in this; the established audiovisual and print media were vilified as “fake news,” and replaced by “alternative” sources. In this book 24 original black-and-white or color photograms are displayed opposite two texts. One is an original short story by H.M. Hartmann written specifically for this edition, about a present-day conspiracy theorist, and the other excerpts Titus Oates’ publication on the Popish Plot of 1679. Two photograms are laminated and stitched inside an envelope made of transparent paper and printed continuously with excerpts from the two texts. All twelve envelopes are stored in a hinged slipcase, a construction consisting of two interlocking slipcases that open to a 90-degree angle so the sheets can be removed. This somewhat labyrinthine form not only corresponds to the folding of the individual layers, but also mirrors the thoughts of a conspiracy theorist, erratic and resistant to logical arguments.

Letterpress from polymer plates on Enduro Ice-paper.
24 original b/w und color photograms on Ilford Multigrade Deluxe, Fomaspeed and Fuji Crystal Archive.
Hinged slipcase in two colors, pasted with Efalin-paper and embossed title.
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12 envelopes, each 9,45’ x 13,38’ / 25 x 34 cm
Edition: 38 copies with consecutive Arabic numerals and 6 copies with consecutive Roman numerals
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Karlsruhe, February 2021