Johnna Arnold

For most of 2024 I was part of the @photobookprogram program through @penumbrafoundation . After some fun experiments, I focused on a document of my unexpected breakup and beginning anew. As I worked on this project, I often thought of my maps program when I ignored its guidance it would repeat at me “reformulating route”.

My reformulation: I moved from the Bay Area to the Hudson River Valley, started making things with clay, began writing sad/angry long-form poetry, and found myself drawing entangled, distended bodies.

I was interested in creating a document of this time, both as a way to help me move forward and in the hope of helping others as they navigate grief. I see this book as an intimate, humble, processing machine.

The amazing thing is it was effective- this book is a time capsule I am appreciative of, I can hold the sadness in my hand and move forward with a new perspective on life and love.

There are currently two copies of this book, one is at the Penumbra Foundation Library in NYC, and the other is @griffinmuseum Museum as part of their Handmade Photobook Exhibition. I’d love to make a few changes and make a few more of them, but for now I’m happy it’s being enjoyed.

Big thanks to friends, family, and Alice at The Hudson River Bindery.
#handmadebook

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