All images © Escif, shared with permission
Escif (previously) gained a foothold in street art by portraying playful scenes that tap into themes of capitalism, politics, and society, often relying on humor to convey messages related current events and activism. Now, the prolific Valencia-based artist is producing his first-ever book, a whopping 600-page tome titled The Foundations of Harmony and Invention, with help from a fully-backed crowdfunding campaign.
For this project, Escif leans into a sense of jocular absurdity present throughout his work, delving into his archive of paintings, photographs, murals, journeys, reflections, and more, which he describes as an “encyclopedic archive of images, poetry, and resistance.” He maintains an element of serious fun, as he plumbs the creative process and reminds us to interrogate hustle culture. Among many suggested uses—as a small step, a companion, or a wedge to hold open a door—the artist acknowledges its role also “as a book, claiming pause, silence, and timelessness against the dominant paradigm of productivity.”
Order your copy and support the project on Kickstarter until June 1, and follow updates on the artist’s Instagram.
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