| Title | Reconnaissance I: Selected Favorite Scenes from Greater Syria |
| Artist / Creator | Elsi Vassdal Ellis |
| Press Name | EVE Press |
| Artist's Nationality | United States |
| Place of Publication | Bellingham, Washington |
| Publication Date | 2015 |
| Process / Technique | Epson C88+ DuraBrite Ultra inks, Cameo Silhouette electronic cutter |
| Structure / Binding | Fishbone accordion |
| Paper Stock | Cougar Opaque Natural, 80# text, French Speckletone Chocolate 70# text and 100# cover |
| Number of Pages | 18 pages |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 4 x 6 x .25 inches. Extends out to 25.5 inches |
| Edition Size | 1-10 as part of Desert Dreams: Explorations & Excavations of HK in Greater Syria; 11-25 sold individually with Hedi Kyle paper case. |
This book is one of the 30 in Desert Dreams: Explorations & Excavations of HK in Greater Syria 30-volume boxed set. Here HK claims to be "a desert creature" and in love with anything and everything about Greater Syria. Six prominent scenes from Syria are seamlessly combined to represent the many desert journeys of HK in Greater Syria, beginning with encounters with Arab caravans to various ruins (Palmyra, Castle of the Watch-tower, Crusader fortress, Roman Gate of the Winds, and the Basilica of Kalat Siman). HK's troublesome camel complained often during their travels across Syria. The images were drawn from the Library of Congress online collection. The interior pattern on the paper references HK's experiences in Damas (Damascus) while exploring the Palais Azem.
Artist Bio
Elsi Vassdal Ellis creates books in a well-equipped studio outside Bellingham on 20 acres of what was once part of the Buckholtz Homestead. Born in Fallon, Nevada, in 1952, she spent her formative years in Iowa City, Iowa, before settling down in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1983 she has produced over 125 editions and 120 unique books employing a variety of reproduction techniques and materials. Her work is permanently housed in many public collections including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, New York City Public Library, Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry, Grabhorn Collection in the San Francisco Public Library, and Arts of the Book Collection in the Yale University Library. Western Washington University has been her professional home since 1977 where she holds the rank of full professor and teaches courses in design production and (occasionally) book arts.