The Two Body Problem Artist Book

The Two Body Problem Artist Book

digitally-printed artist book with post-binding, 5.25"x7", 2011

 Created within Emily Martin's Artist Book Class

Artist Book Description

 “The Two Body Problem” is a digitally printed artist book with post binding.  It acts as an information book on the physics (as well as the current) definition of the two body problem:  one where a couple has difficulty finding employment in the same geographical location and therefore becomes a long-distance couple.  The book then becomes a flip book using the physics drawing of the two body problem to morph into speech bubbles.  These speech bubbles then depict my partner and I’s text messages during our long-distance relationship due to the two body problem.  These texts eventually grow and take over the pages before the page goes blank.  This book relates to the idea of home in that both my partner and I were creating our own lives and homes apart while still existing as each other’s home while apart.  We both longed for the end of this separation when we could be together again and create our own home together.  This separation of locations is depicted in both the front and back cover of the overlapping maps of Iowa City (my home) and Providence (his home) and how the two seemingly disparate places overlapped with us.

Artist Statement

The two body problem is a physics problem where two bodies orbit around the same point but never meet.  This definition is now used to describe a common situation where couples are failing to find employment in the same geographic location, often leading to long-distance relationships in order for them both to pursue their careers or education.  This is a flip book depicting my own two body problem by displaying how my relationship often used text messages in order to continue.  Whether it was everyday trivialities or serious statements, we used texting to stay in touch while apart.  We both looked forward to the day when our separate homes, locations and lives came together and became one and the same.  The thoughts were always present for the day in which we no longer had to describe our lives through texting but could do it in person again.