Structure - Book

'Structure – Book' relates to the work 'Struktura', which was realized by Sanja Iveković in 1975–1976. Clippings from newspapers and magazines of images of 10 women of different age were reproduced 10 times. On each one of the motifs the artist wrote by hand a short caption and repeated the caption also on the other images.

Anne, Princess Royal of England, carries as one undertitle 'Sought consolation in horse racing and nightlife', Patty Hearst has one caption 'Expecting her master’s return', an unidentified woman 'Executed in Bubanj in 1944', the Yugoslavian actress Beba Lončar 'Learned how to be photogenic'; and Ellen Stewart, one of the founding members of the theatrer club La MaMa 'Finally found the time to shorten her trousers.'

In this work Sanja Ivecović deconstructs carefully the image and text relation in mass media. Content statements can become illustrated by replaceable images. Images can become commented by various texts. With her methodology the artist succeeds in creating a sceptical and distanced critical reflection in reaction to the pictures flood in mass media. At the same time the artist uses a strategy, which has played also in the development of the artistic language of Cindy Sherman or Richard Prince an important role in their confrontation with the picture worlds of publicity and media.

'Structure – Book' was published by P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E. Institute in Ljubljana.