Two copies together, displaying book cover, envelope pages, and two-sided pull-out cards
In my artist’s book Evidence of Attendants, proof of angels walking on earth, a collection of detritus from the sidewalks and streets of Philadelphia is gathered, catalogued, and described as specimens from angels’ seeking to be of assistance to mortals. Viewers from other places in the world may be reminded of their own similar healing encounters with these fierce and loving beings, and others may have their own tests yet ahead.
Within a walk of one city block, nine bits of evidence were found, singly or grouped. As they accumulated, they were numbered and carefully stored for later interpretation.
Holding an open heart with a clear head, in playfulness and in reverence, the intent and use of the objects then quickly revealed themselves to me.
The first specimen to be found was a scrap of paper with “time 9:00 to 9:40” written on it. This was catalogued as the “Local Visitation Schedule” and combined with a second scrap recognized as a “Visitation Tally.” Together they showed the time angels spent seeking human interaction and the rate of success they then had. Specimen three, “Corporeal Circuitry,” a snarled lump, was extracted from an individual to then return them to a balanced state. The next, a triangular piece of metal called “Support Plate” had helped someone stand their ground when challenged, and number five “Shield with Pullcord” had protected someone from revealing too much in a moment. In specimen six, shell bits, as “Units of Beauty” helped someone release themselves from coveting another’s worldly possessions. “Skewer Dart Tip, #7, was used in an extreme case where someone badly needing help had to be rendered defenseless to receive immediate angelic aid. Eight shows a shield, or “Sustaining Disc” used to defend a mortal’s progress with the inner circle signifying triumph. The specimens finish with a group of metal objects exemplifying types of entrapping relationships that were attended to so those affected could each move on.
Specimens #1-9 grouped
Publishing Notes:
Evidence of Attendants is constructed with a concertina spine into which are sewn five pockets, each folded in half to house a total of ten cards. The pockets show the specimen number on their fronts, with the nine levels of the angelic hierarchy poetically explained on their backs. The cards are pulled out as tabs through stamped cuts at each envelope’s end. A specimen’s image is on one side with its catalogued name and description on the reverse.
It can be experienced sequentially or randomly. As a structure, partially opened and standing on edge, it is meant to resemble a wing, whether of heaven or earth.
Offset printed, hand stamped tabs, hand sewn binding
4 x7 x1” Edition of 95, Publisher: Women’s Studio Workshop
Top view of E of A
Specimen cards and front page of book
Copies of Evidence of Attendants are available for $125 plus shipping through contacting MJ directly at MJCONNORSDAVISON.COM or through these representative sellers:
- https://wsworkshop.org/collection/evidence-of-attendants/
- https://www.printedmatter.org/catalog/5324
- https://wsworkshop.org/artists/mj-connors-davison/
Quick Bio: MJCD is an internationally collected mixed media artist specializing in collage.