Stephanie Copoulos-Selle
Citron Press

Lola's Expedition

 Three volume set with box, created and printed during  1999-03, electronic on Ingres paper, finished size 6" x  4" x  3", edition of 15

Lola's Expedition was influenced by the three-volume set of Commodore Perry’s Excursion to Japan.  In his introduction, written in 1856, he states’…[we] will seek and write only truths’.   A reader is quickly aware that there was not an absolute truth in Perry’s books, since his research method was flawed by outsider’s observations and hearsay.  His "truths" are recounted, with some objectivity, some naive, and all with his peculiar cultural bias.

 Lola uses Perry’s research methods to explore the game and activities surrounding baseball.   She approaches baseball with as much surprise and naiveté as Perry had concerning Japan.  The actual form of the book is much smaller but similar in structure to Perry’s book. 

Volume I is a travel log  in chronological order.  Volume II is a study of the implements used by the people that were studied.  Volume III is a star guide.   Heavenly bodies for Perry's sea navigation. or Lola the famous stars of  baseball.  Both sets of books have facts, opinions and errors.  Both sets discuss the weather, the people, and have happy and sad passages.