Ethan Rafal, Shock and Awe Special Edition
Shock and Awe — Special Edition: Following the publication and extensive touring behind Shock and Awe, the Special Edition continues to explore the process of history-making, the gentrification of memory, and the enduring capacities of the American Mythology. It is intended to be a house for memory and contemplation.
Process:
The Shock and Awe Special Edition was completed over the course of several years. The Lightbox is built with indestructible LED lights housed within antique Redwood and Douglas Fir — 19th century California wood, illuminated by the 21st century. This process was a radical, fragile task. This edition is a house for memory — a means to engage history-making. Opening the box is a kinesthetic experience of the American Mythology.
The cover of the Special Edition is made from hand-made glass from West Virginia— the unique, transfer prints feel something between a bus advertisement and an icon built from stained glass. Inside, we created a soft pouch for a puzzle, which also depicts Freda Rafal, Queens, New York. There is also a wooden record sleeve — housing an LP, a live-recording of the performance of Shock and Awe on the #shockandawebooktour. This recording literally and metaphorically keeps the Shock and Awe — First Edition and puzzle in safe keeping.
Removing these contents reveals the edition’s true potential — illumination. The light switch and electronics are built into the wood itself, the box is secured by a steel baseplate. While rough on the outside, the inside is finished with UV-non-absorbent titanium paint — releasing the maximum volume of light in the most even manner possible.
The total combination of materials, and the experience of using them, is a harmony of content and form. The Shock and Awe Special Edition required years, and a dedicated team. I am proud of the work behind this edition, and I am proud to share it with you.
IHA Editions is a publishing platform and mentorship program run by Ethan Rafal. The project is a means to publish artists’ books and photography-oriented editions. The primary goal of the project is to empower artists to self-publish and self-distribute, with an emphasis on touring, organizing, performance, and related time-based art practices. For Kunstbokmessen B*stard 2026, Rafal will show a selection of personal books, ephemera from prior book-performance tours, and the hand-made artists’ books edition The Evening Pink (2011-2026).
Forlag: IHA Editions (2016)
Sideantall: 144
Opplag: 100
ISBN: 978-0-9895996-0-3
Box Size — 35 x 35 cm
Box Material — 100 year old Redwood, Douglas Fir, Oak — reclaimed Northern California
Glass — handmade, West Virginia
Print — Archival Positive Transfer
Steel — galvanized. Back = raw, signed and numbered. Front = 5 coats UV-non-absorbent paint
Lighting — LED with modified steel interior, and UV-non-absorbent paint
LP — recorded: Tiny Telephone, The Farm, San Francisco. Live performance: Shock and Awe
LP — wooden sleeve: produced with pine, screen printing, glue
Puzzle — 1,000 pieces, 50x71 cm, Image: Freda Rafal, Queens, New York
Puzzle Pouch — raw canvas, screen printing, sewing
IHA Editions is a publishing platform and mentorship program run by Ethan Rafal. The project is a means to publish artists’ books and photography-oriented editions. The primary goal of the project is to empower artists to self-publish and self-distribute, with an emphasis on touring, organizing, performance, and related time-based art practices. For Kunstbokmessen B*stard 2026, Rafal will show a selection of personal books, ephemera from prior book-performance tours, and the hand-made artists’ books edition The Evening Pink (2011-2026).
