In Plane Sight- Book/Valise
- martine75
- Oct 28, 2023
- 2 min read
Honestly, the maquette had been such fun to make, but it looked dull and unprofessional as an exhibition. I wanted to think outside the box. Or maybe inside the box?


I decided to use a box that resembled a book to make a mini-exhibition. Why?
Marcel Duchamp's Box in a Valise is a fascinating and innovative work of art. It is a portable museum in a box containing a selection of miniature reproductions and items related to Duchamp's works, and I think the idea is ingenious.
I decorated the book box with silver metal leaf and irrelevant paint. This was in keeping with an aircraft fuselage.
I used my Instax printer to make miniature copies of my tondos. Some are the airline codes for places, some are airline references, and some are the original titles.
I glued the small photos into the decorated box.
The titles are printed on Dymo tape. The tape is used to label files and binders, and I think the look of the hard plastic suits the theme and exhibits.





What have I learnt?
Making a mini valise/book showcases the power of miniaturisation and the idea that art doesn't have to be grand or monumental to be impactful.
In Plane Sight, The Book/Valise is deeply personal, reflecting my journeys and relationship with my works. I can draw inspiration from this and use my mini-exhibition to tell a personal narrative about my influences and the meaning behind my work. I have many more tondos, and I can work towards a large exhibition in the future.
This exhibition is portable, though, and it can be carried around and shared with others as it is easy to transport.
I could incorporate interactive elements, such as artist statements, mini sketchbooks, or spaces for viewers to leave feedback or participate in the creative process inside the book/ box.
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