Loren Connors, Julien Langendorff, Jim Jarmusch, Hiraku Suzuki (photo: Louie Metzner. courtesy of Opalnest)

Hiraku Suzuki (photo: Louie Metzner)

Photo: Amy Mitten

Hiraku Suzuki (photo: Amy Mitten)

Loren Connors (photo: Amy Mitten)

Julien Langendorff (photo: Amy Mitten)

Hiraku Suzuki (photo: Amy Mitten)

(photo: Amy Mitten)

Helen Homan Wu (Opalnest), Jim Jarmusch, Jozef van Wissum (photo: Amy Mitten)

Printed Matter (photo: Amy Mitten)

Printed Matter (photo: Louie Metzner)

Loren Connors, Helen Homan Wu, Julien Langendorff, Hiraku Suzuki (photo: Amy Mitten)

All photos courtesy of Opalnest

There’s a hint of rapture in both Paul Mpagi Sepuya and Timothy Hull’s images. Although both the artists’ practices are completely different by nature, Paul– Photography, Timothy– multi-media collage, they were blended harmonically in their latest collaborative project: The Accidental Egyptian and Occidental Arrangements. What was initially a collage mashup project for Tokion Magazine’s January issue turned into an object of desire – a limited edition artist book – signed and numbered by both artists.

The book has just been launched last Thursday at Printed Matter, and was quickly snatched up by friends, fans, and enthusiasts. Paul was wildly chatty with a group of friends when I found him and had our brief talk. Soon after, I met Tim, hanging outside surrounded by people but seemingly calm and alone. This interesting contrast in their personas (my first impression) is also reflected in their work, which is what makes this collaborative piece work so well.

Paul’s photographs of people are honest and pure, with a minimal palette of colors usually set against a neutral background. Tim’s work is like small ensembles of elements whether they be sculptures, collages, or prints. One of the appeals in Tim’s visuals is the way they lean towards spirituality, and are celebratory acts of non-religious ceremonies.

The compositions of the cut-out imagery in the book starts to visually speak to me after I bare in on the details. Tim explains that he just got together one day with Paul in the studio and started cutting up each other’s photos and the entire process took one day. It was also the day of the biggest snowstorm in New York. With that sort of atmosphere as a backdrop, I guess that’s what lends the images its melancholy. The “Accidental Egyptian” is really a mystery, says Tim.

Although the books are probably sold out at Printed Matter, it is still available through the artist’s website.

Timothy Hull: fridaynotes.com

(all images courtesy of the artists)

Megawords magazine is produced by Anthony Smyrski and Dan Murphy.  An attractive little mag with more photos than words.  The opening party gave me another excuse to visit Printed Matter.   Here are the boys, and apparently they all grew up in Philly together.  Check out the zine at megawordsmagazine.com