Gerard Byrne: Images or Shadows

Images or Shadows (2011) was published by the Irish Museum of Modern Art to accompany Byrne’s survey show Gerard Byrne: Through the Eyes. Images or Shadows is stylistically modelled on an educational textbook such as those published by Folens. Throughout, the book interweaves material from the making or staging of artworks by Byrne, their staging for installation and exhibition, and the making or staging of the book. The nine essays, many of which refer to the same works by Byrne, are exploited as a framing device through which to present multiple pictorial representations of the works. All image typologies are given equal emphasis, and artwork images, film stills, production stills, archival and reference images, staged images, and installation views are arranged in various combinations throughout the book to prompt multiple readings and associations.