Thinking About Photography
Dedicated to expanding our ideas about photography
Martin Lesinski
www.martinlesinski.com

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason
Beyond the Reach of Reason grew out of an inquiry back in the 1970’s when I first began experimenting with combining my photographs not only with original prose, but also with different materials and information formats such as documents and government forms. My goal was to generate a richer and more personal experience for the viewer. This history was in mind when I set out to make a book of my military poems which was as conceptually tight as possible.

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason

©Martin Lesinski, Beyond the Reach of Reason
This artist's book, Beyond the Reach of Reason, is a book of the hand. It’s made to be touched, to be handled, and to open the reader not just to the experiences and insights conveyed in the poems, but also to the voices of the veterans latent in the combat paper and the very veteran who wore the BDU jacket comprising the covers. It’s designed to lead the reader deeply, personally into the veteran experience. Touch it, hold it, take each page between your fingers, and open your heart.
Such are the possibilities the artist book format enables.