Books Collaboration Publication Publishing

Malika Favre X Counter-Print: Kama Sutra A-Z

posted by Robyn Pitts November 13, 2020

Kama Sutra A-Z was initially developed by illustrator Malika Favre in 2013 as an art project and exhibition. Seven years later she decided to gather this body of work and create a limited edition book co-published with Counter-Print. In the 56-page, hardback publication, the 26 letters of the alphabet are displayed as individual art pieces accompanied by erotic excerpts, carefully curated by the artist, with a strong emphasis on female poets. The result is an eclectic and timeless collection of writings, from ancient times to today, including contributions from renowned poets such as Sandra Cisneros, Yusef Komunyakaa, Stephanie Burt, Vanessa Kisuule, Warsan Shire, Kyle Dargan and Michael Faudet amongst many more.

The dialogue created by this approach emphasises the timeless relevance of Erotica, celebrating joy, pleasure and sensuality. As Vātsyāyana once wrote: “So long as lips shall kiss, and eyes shall see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee”.

The book was designed by Counter-Print and printed in Italy. It has been lavishly produced and comes within an embossed slipcase. The cover has been gold foiled and the book is end-blocked in matt black. A limited number of foiled prints have also been produced for sale with the book and are available to purchase in a bundle deal.