»I didn't want any flowers« by Luise Schaller [SB-004]

»I Didn't Want Any Flowers« is inspired by the poetry collection »Ariel« by writer Sylvia Plath. Within SB-004, fragmented text and the accompanying graphic narration become their own universe. We dive into a world of lyrical hints and visual props, a world on the verge of being dreamy and even kitsch, if it wasn't for the delicate yet elementary angst: 'There is something in the garden', and we are not sure we want to find out what or who.

Throughout the book, Luise Schaller follows a faux-naive approach to vulnerability. Through almost-childlike pencil drawings, she carefully explores powerlessness, pain, anger - and the desire to escape. We are wandering the set of this two-part story, full of gigantic plants, star-dotted skies and actual heart-shaped hearts beating in chests, but it's not a real journey, we don't witness heavy character development either. The 'I' is self-aware from the first page, almost stoically recounting what is happening, and happening to them: 'I have become so small', culminating in wary punchlines such as 'I only wanted to lie like this'.

The effect is a melancholic but crisp view of the world, grounded in dissent, and emotional clearness, that we immediately want to incorporate in our own universes.

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Published by SofortBooks in April 2024
Edition of 150 (Zine) + 30 (Edition)

Zine
Edition of 150, 200x240mm, 40pp + side stitch sewn.
Printed in Hunter Green & Scarlet on Fedrigoni Arena Ivory Rough 120g + 250g at Risofort.

Zine + Wall Hanging
Edition of 30, 300x400mm
Screen-Print on cotton

Edition Split: 75 (Luise Schaller) / 75 (SofortBooks)