Glenn Kaino: This Book Is a Promise, 2021

256-page, Hardcover
Edited by Denise Markonish
Foreword by Joseph Thompson
Introduction by Glenn Kaino
Text by Stacey Abrams, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Kimberly Juanita Brown, Mike Caveney, Brian Dooley, Laura Fried, David Gruber, Deon Jones, Janna Levin, Denise Markonish, Chus Martínez

Los Angeles–based interdisciplinary artist Glenn Kaino’s newest book titled “This Book Is A Promise” positions his practice in the space between magic and activism in the service of political action and hope. Published on the occasion of his largest exhibition to date, In the Light of a Shadow, this book showcases his work and how art can chronicle parallel trajectories of disparate political and geographical contexts, utilizing history to speak about our present, and art to facilitate political action and hope. Kaino has built his career in the space between these two; creating projects that are based on the magic of trust, fair promises and righting the lapses in memory and omissions of history, all while creating beautifully hopeful and immersive installations.

This Book Is a Promise is organized in a galaxy-like structure, with different aspects of Kaino’s production over the years represented as intertwined constellations. Additionally, the book reads in two directions, Memory and Promise, each with their own cover. The Memory side presents a retrospective survey, while the Promise surveys the MASS MoCA exhibition. Themes explored include equity, visibility, belief, regeneration and space-making. This publication gives context to Kaino’s diverse practice, provides promises for people to follow to live in a better, more humane world and serves as a field guide to being human.