Elisabeth Tonnard

Indirections is a series of image-text pamphlets that focus on the manoeuvring involved when ideas are presented to the public eye with the aim of persuasion. Whether we look at Soviet propaganda or at minor deceits in the local newspaper: things are bent, spun and twisted.

The series presents found image-and-caption combinations from books, leaflets and newspapers. Each item in the series is a folded sheet containing a single found image with its caption. The caption is on the front, the image is hidden inside. By uncoupling them, the two elements are each given their own stage – as a result a new space opens up between them. In that space a small tragicomedy is played out. It appears that at times images can be a bit stubborn and reveal slightly different truths from the ones implied by the words coupled to them.

There are now 11 pamphlets published. This is not a closed set; more may be added to this series and each pamphlet functions by itself. Each is an A3 sized sheet, folded to 14 x 29,7 cm and digitally printed on 300 gsm paper in an edition of 90 copies (not numbered).

Each pamphlet is priced at €7,50. If you like to order one or more pamphlets, you can use the webshop, or order by email. A flat fee for shipping applies.

Published in Leerdam, The Netherlands. Pamphlets 1 to 8 published in 2018, pamphlet 9 & 10 in 2019, pamphlet 11 in 2020.

Available in the collections of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Bodleian Library (special collections at Weston Library), Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Clark Art Institute, International Center for Photography, Jan Michalski Foundation for Writing and Literature, Kunstbibliothek (Berlin), Mumok library, National Library of The Netherlands (Koninklijke Bibliotheek), Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte (Munich).

Language and image are conspirators, each builds towards an ‘ideal’ world and each betrays the other.

Johan Velter, review on Sfcdt blog (transl. ET)

Below is an overview of the series.

#1
The children found a loving environment in this kindergarten built by Treptower communists on Kiefholzstraße.

#2
There are always active goings-on at Neustädtischer Markt.

#3
Everything that has been achieved here is the result of an alliance of science, engineering, and inspired toil by tens of thousands of enthusiasts.

#4
Ankie Bergsma and Jannie de Jong have an eye for the latest trends.

#5
Residents of Patrimoniumstraat 7 to 21 in Leerdam get a front garden as part of the project ‘People are the Neighborhood’.

#6
Board member John Brouwer and architect Reinier Noordhof are delighted with the new Rehoboth.

#7
Ilker Yilmaz: “I am really addressing the connective tissue.”

#8
A (perhaps the) highlight of the show are Tonnie and Tootsie.

#9
In nature reserves, the aim is to make the road an unobtrusive part of the landscape.

#10
Fruits and vegetables from household plots are an important contribution to the realization of the Food Program.

#11
Deputy Mayor Nico van Driel picks up tompouces at the Hema.