River Inside a River

Artists' Books

The Los Angeles: River Inside a River. Beginning with pre-history, the book tells the story of the Los Angeles River using images, quotes, and an historical timeline. The interior blue accordion-pages spring forth from the green landscape of the cover like the river itself. The cover image is from a 20th century illustration of the Los Angeles River and surrounding landscape. The book takes the reader through the river’s lush green past, to the concrete-lined present, to the raging debate about its future.

1991, 6.5 x 6.5” Edition of 400. Created by Cheri Gaulke in collaboration with Wilson High School students and teacher Susan Boyle, and based on L.A. River Project, a multi-media video installation that was toured nationally by the Smithsonian Institution. Letterpress and offset-printed on Speckletone cover weight; binding is a 12-page accordion-structure with hand water-colored cover. Made possible by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department.

Available for $40 from Cheri Gaulke.