versations was Warren Lehrer’s first offset printed book, which grew out of his MFA thesis at Yale. It began his lifelong attempt to capture the rhythms and cadences of thought, speech, and interpresonal communication within the space/time capsule that is the book form. versations is a setting for sixteen characters, eight conversations. Sarah the Doll Lady discusses her life as a survivor and dollmaker, a Hindu missionary professes universality, Sailor Bob confesses to wanting to murder his wife’s doctor, there is a Chinese love affair, a French flirtation, and a conversation between a clarinet and cello. The book functions both as a book to be read alone and as a score for performance in eight movements. Printed on all rag, transluscent paper, its pages reveal the echoes of voices past, present, and future. Cited by Judith Hoffberg as the first artist book and first MFA thesis to be awarded an AIGA book award.

versations written and designed by Warren Lehrer
original music composed by Dan Plonzey. Hand lettering by Jan Baker.
Publshed in 1980. 10” x 16” x 96 pages. Hardcover, cloth over boards. Wiro bound. Printed in an edition of 300 copies via offset lithography on a transluscent Cranes 100% rag paper,
employing fourteen typefaces.

Out of Print.

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