Altered Books and Art: Repurposing Trump’s Controversial Work
I am a mixed media artist, and the recent surge in sales for has piqued my interest. As the book's price drops due to poor sales performance, I plan to start collecting copies at thrift stores and garage sales. My intention is to transform them into unique, altered books. I will cover the original pages with gesso, turning them into blank canvases for my art. This process allows me to not only create something new but also completely erase any trace of Trump's name and content. The thrill of creating something entirely new from something so controversial is beyond exciting.
Trump's New Book and Its Reception
The book in question, The Brief Glimpse, features photographs accompanied by captions purportedly written by Donald Trump himself. Each photograph has a unique caption, with some critics suggesting that these are more a reflection of Trump's egotism than genuine insight. The price of the unsigned version is $75, while a signed copy costs a whopping $230. Trump received a tremendous advance, which significantly boosted the book's sales. In less than two months, it managed to sell 20 million copies.
While the advance and the initial print run of 200,000 copies suggest strong demand, the reality is that only a select few might truly appreciate the book. Winning Team Publishing, founded by Trump Jr., mentioned a further plan to print 300,000 more copies in three locations across the United States. The publisher's financial backing and strong support from the Trump brand certainly play a role in driving this massive print run.
Personal Views on the Book
Given my background as a mixed media artist, I have no intention of purchasing a copy of the book. Personally, I would not read any book written by Trump if it were free, and I certainly wouldn't pay $230 for it. Some of the photographs in the book, such as one featuring Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, were unexpected and quite bizarre.
Trump's captions on these images are equally unappealing to me. For instance, one caption described Zuckerberg in a manner that seems out of place and irrelevant. This isn't the first book of Trump's that I've shown any interest in, and I don't plan to start now.
Given my experiences during Trump's presidency, I would be willing to bet that every book by Trump is filled with misinformation and falsehoods. No one should waste their time on such material. Life is too short to engage with content that is so clearly biased and designed to manipulate public opinion.
In conclusion, while others might find value in collecting and reading The Brief Glimpse, my artistic endeavors will focus on repurposing it in a way that removes the original content. This alters its purpose and transforms it into a unique piece of art that tells a different story.