Flawless, Seamless
Marge Monko
Edited by Laura Toots
Texts by Moritz Scheper, Erika Hock, Maruša Sagadin, Paul Kuimet, Marge Monko
Flawless, Seamless is the first monograph of Marge Monko, encompassing works from 2014 to 2021. The book presents nineteen works that explore what the artist calls “the architecture of desire,” drawing inspiration from public banners, print advertisements, shop displays, show windows, etc. These ubiquitous promotional strategies, designed to evoke an abiding, aspirational desire, suggest that the products they represent will fulfill the promise of luxury, romance, and happiness. Monko’s interest in these inseparable elements of capitalist society can be traced back to her childhood in the 1980s, which in the context of the Soviet Union was marked by the shortage of commodities.
![Book launch at Kai Art Center, Tallinn, September 23, 2022. Marge Monko in converstation with Maarin Ektermann.]()
![Book launch at Margot Samel Gallery, New York, October 13, 2022. Marge Monko in conversation with R. H. Lossin.]()
The works are accompanied by an essay by curator and writer Moritz Scheper and three conversations with Monko’s fellow artists and friends, Erika Hock, Maruša Sagadin, and Paul Kuimet. In his text, Scheper makes connections between Monko’s earlier and more recent works, and elaborates on different femininities prevailing in East and West. The conversations touch upon the subjects such as artist’s work, materiality, collaboration, and bookmaking. The publication is edited by Laura Toots, designed by Indrek Sirkel, and published by Lugemik. The publication was supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Estonian Union of Photography Artists (Foku).
![Laura Toots and Marge Monko composing the structure of the book in the artist’s studio, Tallinn, November 2021. Photo: Indrek Sirkel.]()
![Laura Toots and Marge Monko going through the artist’s archive in her studio, Tallinn, August 2021. Photo: Indrek Sirkel.]()
205 × 270 mm
272 pp
Offset printing
Sewn binding
In English
Graphic design: Indrek Sirkel
Colour correction: Marje Eelma (Tuumik)
Typefaces: Various
Paper: Galerie Art Matt 130g, Galerie Art Gloss 150g, Galerie Art Silk 150g, Munken Polar Rough 120g, Amber Graphic 60g, Nautilus Classic 120g
Printed by Tallinn Book Printers
Supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, FOKU—Estonian Union of Photography Artists
Edition of 400
Published by Lugemik
ISBN 978-9949-7381-9-9
2022
Marge Monko
Edited by Laura Toots
Texts by Moritz Scheper, Erika Hock, Maruša Sagadin, Paul Kuimet, Marge Monko
Flawless, Seamless is the first monograph of Marge Monko, encompassing works from 2014 to 2021. The book presents nineteen works that explore what the artist calls “the architecture of desire,” drawing inspiration from public banners, print advertisements, shop displays, show windows, etc. These ubiquitous promotional strategies, designed to evoke an abiding, aspirational desire, suggest that the products they represent will fulfill the promise of luxury, romance, and happiness. Monko’s interest in these inseparable elements of capitalist society can be traced back to her childhood in the 1980s, which in the context of the Soviet Union was marked by the shortage of commodities.
The works are accompanied by an essay by curator and writer Moritz Scheper and three conversations with Monko’s fellow artists and friends, Erika Hock, Maruša Sagadin, and Paul Kuimet. In his text, Scheper makes connections between Monko’s earlier and more recent works, and elaborates on different femininities prevailing in East and West. The conversations touch upon the subjects such as artist’s work, materiality, collaboration, and bookmaking. The publication is edited by Laura Toots, designed by Indrek Sirkel, and published by Lugemik. The publication was supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Estonian Union of Photography Artists (Foku).
205 × 270 mm
272 pp
Offset printing
Sewn binding
In English
Graphic design: Indrek Sirkel
Colour correction: Marje Eelma (Tuumik)
Typefaces: Various
Paper: Galerie Art Matt 130g, Galerie Art Gloss 150g, Galerie Art Silk 150g, Munken Polar Rough 120g, Amber Graphic 60g, Nautilus Classic 120g
Printed by Tallinn Book Printers
Supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, FOKU—Estonian Union of Photography Artists
Edition of 400
Published by Lugemik
ISBN 978-9949-7381-9-9
2022