2025
20 copies
Signed and numbered
20 copies
Signed and numbered
Clamshell box (closed):
33×23×4 cm
13×9×1.6 inches
33×23×4 cm
13×9×1.6 inches
35 elements
Paper, felt, metal, papyrus
Mixed techniques
Paper, felt, metal, papyrus
Mixed techniques
A fabric-covered custom archival box containing a myriad of documents printed on various papers and materials forms this project by Three Star Books (TSB) in collaboration with BlackMass Publishing (BMP)—a publishing house publishing another.
When Three Star Books—composed of three people in Paris—approached BlackMass Publishing, based in Queens and made up of two people, we recognized the unique potential of this dynamic exchange. Introduced to us by Printed Matter Bookstore, the collaboration became much more than a publication. It evolved into a fusion of creative and technical expertise, merging our independent visions to create a project that reflects our shared values in art, culture, and expression.
This collaboration represents the most ambitious publishing endeavor BMP has undertaken to date. Over 30 meticulously crafted objects—made from diverse materials such as papers, copper, felt, papyrus, and stainless steel—are housed in a custom-designed box. These objects challenge traditional notions of books, functioning as a dynamic score for an interactive experience that invites users to engage with the collection in ever-changing ways. The sequence of interaction is fluid, evolving with each encounter to reveal a narrative of discovery and improvisation.
The materials are intentionally chosen to stimulate both the intellect and the senses, forging a deeply tangible connection. Here, the “reader” is redefined as an active participant—a composer who arranges, interprets, and responds to the collection, transforming each engagement into a deeply personal and self-directed journey. These distinct pieces come together to form a broader narrative of cultural legacy and innovation, celebrating cultural production as a transformative force in art and publishing. The project’s improvisational ethos ensures that each interaction offers a unique and evolving experience.
This project allowed BMP to push their practice further, introducing a poetic alphabet. Through their work, BMP redefines books as not merely vehicles for text but as powerful mediums for storytelling, history, and identity.
TSB brought its extensive technical expertise to the table, providing innovative production solutions that helped realize BMP’s bold and intricate vision. With advanced printing techniques and careful material selection, we were able to bring the project to life with precision and fidelity, balancing the tactile, visual, and conceptual.
About BlackMass Publishing
BlackMass Publishing (est. 2018), founded by Yusuf Hassan (b. 1987) and Kwame Sorrel (b. 1990), is a collective known for its pioneering work in experimental and unconventional books. BMP operates at the intersection of poetry, visual art, and cultural activism. Their primary activities include the production of sophisticated yet simple zines and the organization of conferences and talks. Acting as both poets and visual artists, BMP embodies a hybrid, interdisciplinary approach to storytelling and artistic expression.
Their methodology recalls the practices of avant-garde figures like Marcel Broodthaers, Dieter Roth, and Fluxus artists, who transformed everyday materials and objects into profound cultural artifacts. BMP’s work mainly reinterprets materials of Black American culture, challenging traditional publishing norms with aesthetic and conceptual rigor. BMP blurs the lines between art and the everyday, creating works that are both accessible and revolutionary.
This partnership between Three Star Books and BlackMass Publishing stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community.
When Three Star Books—composed of three people in Paris—approached BlackMass Publishing, based in Queens and made up of two people, we recognized the unique potential of this dynamic exchange. Introduced to us by Printed Matter Bookstore, the collaboration became much more than a publication. It evolved into a fusion of creative and technical expertise, merging our independent visions to create a project that reflects our shared values in art, culture, and expression.
This collaboration represents the most ambitious publishing endeavor BMP has undertaken to date. Over 30 meticulously crafted objects—made from diverse materials such as papers, copper, felt, papyrus, and stainless steel—are housed in a custom-designed box. These objects challenge traditional notions of books, functioning as a dynamic score for an interactive experience that invites users to engage with the collection in ever-changing ways. The sequence of interaction is fluid, evolving with each encounter to reveal a narrative of discovery and improvisation.
The materials are intentionally chosen to stimulate both the intellect and the senses, forging a deeply tangible connection. Here, the “reader” is redefined as an active participant—a composer who arranges, interprets, and responds to the collection, transforming each engagement into a deeply personal and self-directed journey. These distinct pieces come together to form a broader narrative of cultural legacy and innovation, celebrating cultural production as a transformative force in art and publishing. The project’s improvisational ethos ensures that each interaction offers a unique and evolving experience.
This project allowed BMP to push their practice further, introducing a poetic alphabet. Through their work, BMP redefines books as not merely vehicles for text but as powerful mediums for storytelling, history, and identity.
TSB brought its extensive technical expertise to the table, providing innovative production solutions that helped realize BMP’s bold and intricate vision. With advanced printing techniques and careful material selection, we were able to bring the project to life with precision and fidelity, balancing the tactile, visual, and conceptual.
About BlackMass Publishing
BlackMass Publishing (est. 2018), founded by Yusuf Hassan (b. 1987) and Kwame Sorrel (b. 1990), is a collective known for its pioneering work in experimental and unconventional books. BMP operates at the intersection of poetry, visual art, and cultural activism. Their primary activities include the production of sophisticated yet simple zines and the organization of conferences and talks. Acting as both poets and visual artists, BMP embodies a hybrid, interdisciplinary approach to storytelling and artistic expression.
Their methodology recalls the practices of avant-garde figures like Marcel Broodthaers, Dieter Roth, and Fluxus artists, who transformed everyday materials and objects into profound cultural artifacts. BMP’s work mainly reinterprets materials of Black American culture, challenging traditional publishing norms with aesthetic and conceptual rigor. BMP blurs the lines between art and the everyday, creating works that are both accessible and revolutionary.
This partnership between Three Star Books and BlackMass Publishing stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community.
