Benjamin D. Rinehart ~ Wisconsin

Fractured Fathers
By Rachel Simmons and Benjamin D. Rinehart
Orlando, Florida: Rachel Simmons / Benjamin D. Rinehart, 2021. Edition of 10.

Folding container holding two flextangle rings and one pamphlet. Signed and numbered by the artists.

• Number of pages: Flextangle - 4 surfaces, pamphlets - 36 pages combined.
• Medium: collapsible box with archival pigment & pressure prints and vinyl labels; archival pigment printed flextangles and pamphlet book.
• Dimensions: Container– 10” x 5.5” x 2.5” (closed), 15” x 18” (open) Flextangles– 4.5” x 4.5” x 2” Pamphlet– 10” x 5.5” x .1825” (closed), 10” x 11” x .1825” (open).
• Paper: Bristol 20 pt. and Mohawk Superfine Text soft white 28 lbs.
• Flextangle: Images, text, and vinyl labels printed on an archival Epson printer.
• Container & cover: Designs created using pressure printing with oil-based ink.
• Closure: Magnets.

Project Statement: "’Fractured Fathers’ is a collaborative artists book created by Benjamin D. Rinehart from Appleton, Wisconsin and Rachel Simmons from Orlando, Florida. The process began with a conversation between close friends about their complex relationships with their fathers, Jim and Terry. In the summer of 2020, during the first pandemic lockdown, they interviewed one another over video conferencing and transcribed the conversations.

“Their discoveries led to the creation of two flextangles and a third collaborative book based on the transcripts. For the flextangles, they used photos of their fathers augmented through digital manipulation and pressure printing. Everything was finalized during an in-person studio session in Appleton a year later. Through this process they found kinship between their common experiences & parallels between their family relationships and themselves."
$1,000 (Last Copy)

Fairy-Mones
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
2002. Edition of 40

4 x 8" copier book. Cover in black & white with interior copies on pink pages. Stapled binding. Signed by Rinehart.

A representation of an average week as a single homosexual man. With disclaimer from artist "Keep in mind that this is a typical week. it does not take into account lunar cycles, planetary anomalies or spacial distortions. Plan your week accordingly."

Each day is represented by a single scene that includes a ghost image of the previous day and minimal text: Rinehart with earphones "SUN 15:45 / tune out * content"; Rinehart starting out a window "MON 19:15 / anticipation voyeur"; Rinehart preparing to mouth a phallic looking nipple "TUE 11:23 / self love * edgy".
$15

Ticket Licket
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
2001. Edition of 60.

5.5 x 10”. Comprised of six reductive woodcut images. Encased in a printed bound portfolio.

The original idea came from raffle tickets, where the purchaser would "keep the stub" to see what they had won. The main focus of the portfolio is about dating in a large urban environment versus a rural upbringing. Rinehart used family and past lovers as a catalyst for the images. The numbers were derived from telephone numbers previously occupied by him.

Benjamin D. Rinehart: "Each print is two-sided or two-faced, consistent with the bitter yet interesting relationships I have encountered in various parts of the country."
$550.

Boys & Bubs #2: Valuing Family
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
Appleton, Wisconsin: Benjamin Rinehart, 2023. Edition of 7.

9” x 9” x .825” (closed), variable (open)l; 5 pages. Medium: archival pigment print & pressure print with laces. materials & printing. Lace cards double-sided and mounted onto museum board. Box constructed out of cover stock with a divider and lid to house the lace cards and laces. Each box with five different colored laces to incorporate designs. Laces can be reused repeatedly.

Benjamin Rinehart: "When we started our family in Appleton, WI, it came with the reality that our closest family members were still four hours away. This required us to travel several times each year to Iowa and Indiana to see our families. The lacing cards were just one of many car activities we did on long road trips to pass the time.

"Thankfully we became friends with a wide variety of LGBTQ+ couples in the Fox Valley through a group called ‘Valued Families’. This created a support network that was necessary to thrive in an unfamiliar area of the country. We appreciate the friendships and connections because it created an indelible bond between the families."
$370

Boys & Bubs #7: You See What We See
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
Appleton, Wisconsin: Benjamin Rinehart, 2023. Edition of 7.

9” x 9” x .25” (closed), 18” x 9” (open); 10 pages. Archival pigment print. A pamphlet saddlestitch book with sticker sheet in the back. The paper used throughout this project was Smart White 80 lbs and was printed on an archival Epson printer.

Benjamin Rinehart, prospectus: "Outward perceptions are heavily linked to what we wear. Why are men’s clothes so drab in comparison to women’s clothing? Why does it matter if a man wears pink or if a boy learns how to walk in heels?

“Our family is aware that we don’t conform to societies standards and often stand out. This has no affect on our gender and sexuality, but rather a reflection and celebration of individual identity.

"This book contains items that are considered to cross the line in terms of stereotypical appropriate male gender expression. Try to recall a time when you were shamed by wearing something unconventional. This book nudges the viewer to consider alternative possibilities and to embrace new ideas.

"Stickers have been used for decades as a reward, sense of accomplishment, status, and identity. Use the stickers in the back of the book to embellish the pages and figures as desired."
$450 (Last 3 copies)

Boys & Bubs #10: The Bees Knees
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
Appleton, Wisconsin: Benjamin D. Rinehart, 2017. Edition of 7.

9” x 9” x .75” (closed), 18” x 15” x .75 (open); 10 pages; 5 recipe card pull outs. Board book pages. Materials: Strathmore paper; museum board; Iris book cloth. Printed with Epson printer. Iris book cloth hinges. Signed and numbered by the artist.

Benjamin D. Rinehart: "Cooking for others gives me great joy. It is especially rewarding when I see smiles on everyone’s faces. I often tell the kids that there always needs to be a little love in each dish or else it doesn’t taste as good. For our family, food transcends social and cultural barriers, and gives us a chance to share a part of ourselves when we have guests at the dinner table.

"The recipes throughout this book are family favorites and tested on multiple audiences. Lift the tab on each page to reveal the recipe and join us for something tasty."
$450

Boys & Bubs: Nun-Ya
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
Appleton, Wisconsin: Benjamin D. Rinehart, 2017. Edition of 7.

9” x 9” x .375” (closed), 9” x 34.5” x .375” (open); 4 pages. Archival pigment print & silk screen. Accordion structure. Includes tinted glasses to reveal hidden messages within the book. Printed on Strathmore paper with Epson printer. Bound in Iris book cloth and binders board. Signed and numbered by the artist.

Benjamin D. Rinehart: "It’s not uncommon for strangers to approach my family to better understand our 'situation'. Being a same-sex couple and having children often prompts unsolicited comments and questions like 'Where did you get them?' or 'Isn’t that nice that mom had the day off.' We typically file this under the category of 'none of your business' or 'nun-ya' for short.

"Many people persist with deeply personal questions as to how the boys came into our lives, parental roles, and other aspects of our family life. Because of the frequency of these questions we realize that there is a desperate need for education in mainstream society on alternative family structures.

"When approaching a stranger with questions, ask yourself 'Would I feel comfortable if someone asked me that?' This should not be an opportunity to satiate your curiosity, to talk through personal feelings, experiences or opinions. Is it inappropriate to engage someone who already feels marginalized? When in doubt, wait."
$370

Boys & Bubs: The Wig Master
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
Appleton, Wisconsin: Benjamin D. Rinehart, 2016. Edition of 7.

9” x 9” x .75” (closed), 17” x 9” x .75 (open); single opening. Medium: lithograph, pressure print, and archival pigment prints. Bound as a box with hinged doors. Magnetic double hinged opening with synthetic hair pull. Pigmented Strathmore paper. Text printed on Epson printer. Materials: Iris book cloth, binders board, foam core, steel, magnets, and synthetic hair. Signed and numbered by the artist.

Benjamin D. Rinehart: "Gender fluidity and freedom of personal expression are important credos in our household. The idea of changing one’s outward appearance with the ease of taking on or off a wig is enticing and fun. Styling and wearing wigs are a normal part of our kids world because of Joshua’s profession as a wig master. This has given our kids a chance to experience a variety of styles that cross gender in appearance.

"The magnetic wigs are reminiscent of iconic figurative refrigerator magnets; like the statue of David dressed like Marilyn Monroe. Opportunities to switch one’s outward appearance are socially restrictive and often limited to holidays or masquerades.

"Whenever and however you choose to express yourself, embrace it!"
$325

My Own Way
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
2004. Edition of 15.

4.25 x 4.25" digital prints in square flexagon with envelope.

Benjamin D. Rinehart: "Many of these artist books have been completed in the past eight years. My primary focus has been to speak about my dating experiences in a rural and large urban environment. I used family and past lovers as a catalyst for the images reflecting my role in and outside of the gay community."

In this work by Rinehart, we see images of a boy with his first dress and a child desperate for privacy to those of a man accepting himself.
(SOLD/Out of Print)

Sissy
By Benjamin D. Rinehart
2004. Edition of 15.

6.25 x 4.5" with 22 pages. Digital book with flat-back cover.

"'sissy', was a child that grew up in the midwest who strove for
acceptance from everyone at the expense of personal happiness. with adulthood came understanding. this book is a response to the struggles of embracing differences and transforming insecurity into strength. children are often not given choices in how they pursue sex and sexual orientation. sissy deserved options." [From the preface, punctuation as it appears in the
text.]

This digital book with flat-back cover juxtaposes water color images of Rinehart's niece and nude males. Single words – "companion," "needy," "frustrated," "weakling," "ignored," etc. – bind the images together forming a new narrative, questioning the idea of "sissy." The title comes from a nickname Rinehart and his niece shared while growing up, a nickname that has also served as a derogatory term for gay men.
(SOLD)