FLOOD WATCH is an accordion artist book comprised of intaglio prints, edition of 40. By Devon Stackonis, 2026
Created in response to witnessing significant regional flooding in Lower Silesia and acknowledging the drastic increase in global flood activity due to climate change. In 1997 the city of Wrocław and surrounding areas were devastated by major flooding along the Odra River. In the years following this tragedy, flood protection infrastructure was increased in this vulnerable, low-lying region. The 1997 event was referred to as the "Flood of the Millennium," however within 30 years, the region was threatened by another of this scale, the week I arrived in Poland in September of 2024. I was also inspired by the contemporary movement in Poland which aims to establish autonomous legal rights for the river (rzeka, she) to protect her from mining waste and other damaging pollutants. The imagery is drawn from infrastructure observed during walks along the northernmost deviation of the Odra in Wrocław, where the river is heavily monitored by way of weirs, locks, and dams.
The historic Zerkall-Buetten Paper Mill in Germany suffered catastrophic flooding in July 2021, which severely damaged its machinery, leading to the permanent closure of its paper production. This edition is printed on deadstock Zerkall mould-made paper, the remaining supply after the 2021 flood. Text printed with anastatic transfer on Hahnemühle. Etching, mezzotint, aquatint, spit bite, anastatic printing.
Printed at The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design and Galeria Miejska Pracownia in Wrocław, Poland
Edition of 40, $500, 14 x 16 cm
Thank you to my Doctoral Promoter, prof. Christopher Nowicki. Additional thanks to Walter Rindone and Marta Kubiak at Galeria Miejska Pracownia
