At the end of a vertical line: an exercise book

An exercise book for imagining possible family forms and various definitions of ‘family’. Inspired by existing laws and institutions and written in the second person perspective with 'you' as the subject, the instructions and explanations in this exercise book is a thought experiment that allows the reader to freely create their own ideal family.

The book is made to the size of a standard passport—an important document that is used as a proof of identity. The cover uses textured paper that reminds one of human skin, or the moon's surface where there are no national boundaries. The resulting design is a ‘white passport’, drifting between different laws and systems.

Joyce Lam
Born in Hong Kong with a multicultural background living in Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan, together with working experiences in publishing and architecture, Joyce is interested in ways to explore the ideas about the sense of home, memory and identity through multidisciplinary practice, including documentary films, video installations and lecture performances. Her major exhibitions, performances and screenings include On Family (solo exhibition: TOKAS-Emerging 2022, Tokyo Arts and Space Hongo, JP, 2022 / lecture performance: Yokohama Performance Arts Meeting Fringe, JP, 2021), The Cooked (Tokyo Documentary Film Festival, 2021), “Doors of Learning: Microcosms of a Future South Africa” (Bauhaus Lab 2022, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE, 2022). Recipient of the U39 Artist Fellowship (Arts Commission Yokohama, JP, 2022). Joyce holds a MA in Film and Media, Tokyo University of the Arts, MA in Media and Governance, Keio University, and BA in Japanese and Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Pages: 128
Dimensions: 88 x 125 mm
Format: Softcover
Language: English, Japanese
Year: 2023
Publisher: Joyce Lam