TBW#03 – Stefan Fähler – Zahntasia
80pp paperback book, 110mm x 171mm
Limited edition of 150 copies, hand-numbered and signed by the artist
SOLD OUT AT SOURCE
Produced between 05.vii.2012 and 1.vii.2013 in São Joao, São Paulo, Antwerp, Berlin and London by Stefan Fähler and The Tapeworm.
Stefan Fähler used pencils, nail polish remover, trashy Xerox machines and gold paint in the creation of this book.
The Bookworm presents – with a wide grin – the first book by Stefan Fähler. Its title, “Zahntasia”, inflects the name of Walt Disney’s 1940 animated masterpiece with the German word for “tooth” (“Zahn”), and accordingly, it depicts a psychedental journey starring an anthropomorphic molar who suddenly gets popped out of his daily grind. Across 80 black-and-white pages, our toothy protagonist is whisked into a world of sticky indulgence, sweet romance and confectionary hallucinations. Seeing as there’s no text, the plot welcomes the viewer’s own interpretation, but it seems that just like Dorothy, this displaced tooth finds the way back to his roots.
Stefan Fähler created the images during an artist residency in Brazil, as well as in Belgium and his home base of Berlin. To complement his pencil drawings – adding some extra texture where necessary – he also utilized nail polish remover and a rickety, nearly obsolete Xerox machine. Although the story is told purely in pictures, Fähler’s dentist has provided a written introduction emphasizing the importance of caring for your chompers. This book makes a charming addition to any waiting room, a trusty companion for your next acid trip or the perfect gift for that magical wingèd lady who leaves cash under your pillow.
Take a look inside “Zahntasia”…
Biography:
Stefan Fähler is a freelance art director and illustrator working primarily in the music and film industries. He has designed gig posters for performers like Ariel Pink, Baths, Death Grips, Lætitia Sadier, Merzbow, Mykki Blanco, Mogwai, Wolf Eyes, Shonen Knife and album artwork for Leslie Winer, Marina Gasolina and Damo Suzuki.
He painted the graphic titles for Oscar-nominated documentary about Sebastião Salgado, “The Salt of the Earth”, by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival, 2014. He has directed music videos for the likes of Mediengruppe Telekommander and Heatsick, for whom he won an award for “Best International Music Video” at Leeds International Film Festival, 2014.
Fähler’s work can be seen in publications, exhibitions and festivals around the globe including Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Cannes, Milan, Sydney, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile and Basel.
