Structure of Thought 6b, by Mike and Doug Starn

Structure of Thought 6a, by Mike and Doug Starn
This image will be a future 20x200 edition.

Structure of Thought 6a layered over 6b

Not-just-any-Tuesday greetings, collectors. I'm awfully pleased to be announcing today's special photograph, which kicks off a week's worth of arty goodness featuring not one, but two bonus editions for discerning collectors established and emerging.

We start the week off with Structure of Thought 6b, an edition created exclusively by the Starn Twins for 20x200, to benefit Blind Spot.* The Starn Twins! Doing editions with us! How cool is that?

100% of the profits of this edition will contribute to the support Blind Spot's innovative and ambitious photography programs, which include its fabulous magazine, editions, books and public forums.

As you can see, Structure of Thought 6b is gorgeous in its own right. It can also be layered beneath the upcoming Structure of Thought 6a, another edition from Mike and Doug which will be printed on a vellum paper. The third image shown here gives you an idea of what they look like when they're layered, but as is often the case, the effect is much better when viewed in person. (We're still putting the finishing touches on the other edition, and we'll introduce it as soon as it's all done.)

Eric Recktenwald, 20x200 printing wizard, is producing both prints, which have been closely supervised by the Starns. Today's edition is printed on smooth archival cotton fiber paper that's opaque. The upcoming edition's archival vellum surface is semi-translucent, which gives it a dreamy ethereal effect when viewed on its own; when layered over today's edition, the limbs become, in the Starns' words "separate and connected, like capillaries in your body or in a leaf."

Working on this project with the Starns has been an amazing experience, reconfirming my belief that I have the very best job in the world. Figuring out how to produce these prints has been a formidable and incredibly fun challenge. Sarah and I spent a few hours out at the Starns' studio last week; Mike, Doug and Gaudéricq Robiliard, their wonderful project director, looked over Eric's proofs with us and we made our final selections. We talked about how ably Eric had met this printing challenge, their upcoming exhibitions and their other art-for-everyone undertaking, a monumental installation they're completing for the South Ferry subway station as part of the MTA's Arts for Transit program. (That is going to really be something and I can't wait to see it.)

The Starns are long-time supporters of, and collaborators with, Blind Spot; I'm proud and honored to have had the opportunity to add another layer to that support with this edition. And of course, it's not just Blind Spot they're supporting — doing an edition with 20x200 signals Doug and Mike's commitment to making art available to a broad audience. Such a commitment can be seen as renegade or risky, but its one that they've honored with enthusiasm and uncompromising standards. In other words: they are awesome.

To top off this extravaganza, Blind Spot publisher Dana Faconti is offering a 10% discount to 20x200 collectors who subscribe to Blind Spot Magazine. It's a totally delicious, beautifully printed publication that's collectible itself, so I encourage you to get a subscription. (To get your discount, enter code 20x200 when you check out.)

A few words about this edition:

- It's only available in the $20 and $2000 sizes.
- Purchases are limited to one print of each edition per collector and/or mailing address. We reserve the right to refund purchases if we determine that a single collector has acquired multiple prints.
- It's not going to ship right away. We expect to be able to ship it well within two weeks, which is not our usual speedy standard. (It's worth the wait, promise!)
- While you can layer this with the upcoming edition, each edition is a separate piece. You don't need one to complete the other.\
- All prints are sold on a first come, first serve basis. Buying today's edition doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to get the second one.
- We absolutely cannot combine shipping on these prints. Our apologies!
And with those notes, I take my leave until tomorrow, when I'll be back with this week's fine art edition. See you all then!

*Yes, this is the edition I promised you last week! It took a little longer for us to finalize all the fine details, in spite of lots of hard work and our very best intentions.