The Cliché

The Cliché by Ruoru Mou

The word cliché is defined as an opinion that is overused and betrays a lack in original thought. It is also a method of early industrial printing, allowing cheaper and easier mechanical reproduction of the same.

Ruoru Mou’s publication entitled ‘The Cliché’ is held together by a red line that clots a constellation of architecture, forgotten medical inventions and parasites. Constructing a montage of appropriated texts and images it moulds a science fiction body of surfaces and innards. Taking from cinema and gaming history, it traces the stereotype of Chinese restaurant representation through technologies of visual culture and entertainment. Mining these platitudes for material it emerges as a fully formed mirror, reflecting the culture and machines which perpetuate these images.

The publication is a 6 page concertina, however, these folds are a misdirection. If one follows the template of the printed red marks, the paper can be cut out, folded and made into that ubiquitous object of the Chinese restaurant, the takeaway box.

In doing so, Mou invites to us to engage in the act of interpreting images and language as a sculptural process in itself, a sculpture made by a readers engagement.

We are proud to announce ‘The Cliché’ by Ruoru Mou as the third release in our Good Thieves series.

6 page concertina menu.
Two colour Risograph cover.
Printed in the UK.
2024 - 2025.