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Pepe Cardona, El Persa (Valencia, 1943), is one of the most well known and unknown cultivators of what those of us who have studied classic Greek call «ephemera»: this means, this vast paper-filled universe destined not to last longer than a day which mixes cut-outs, postcards, colouring books, collectible cards, posters, advertising brochures, birthday cards, and a long etc. This «ephemeral press» is a treat for collectors but it generally represents something quite different for their frequently anonymous creators. Very few have made the humble sheet of paper their ideal means of expression like El Persa, who has given one of his exhibits of cut-outs the title «The dignity of the flimsy». Irregardless of the commissioned works, each of his creations reflects the particular poetic world of the author in a secret and effective way, and one could say that they will be immortal due to their own desire of insignificance. El Persa enjoys performing «autofolklore» —according to the expression by Antonio Machado— and pursues the most universal audience, perfectly represented by his group of friends. The most lucid and the most delirious ideas have arisen from his imagination, as shown by his investigation about the Pelota Postal Descascarillable (Derailed Postal Ball), his invention of the Mascarilla Masticadora Bowerbräu (Bowerbräu Chewing Mask) or his entertaining discourse about the nature of time, la joie de vivre, and motorcycles. The unknown El Persa, collects works which cover almost thirty years, created for his personal enjoyment and published at his own expense or in friends’ publications. Other inventions are presented for the first time in a volume which we refuse to call antology or antologee or even hantology: because no one creates anthologies for unknowns, and because these books always contain a lot of what has already been seen and known by everyone. With the desire to gain accomplice readers —that will become new friends—, it is our pleasure to introduce this great unknown to our unknown public. |
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