Oh how afraid we are, you and I… is a collection of

poetry written by Osip Mandelshtam (1891–1938)

during the same period as the construction of the White

Sea Canal. Dug by forced labor, the canal has become

the symbol of Stalin’s drive toward industrialization

and the power of the Soviet administration. This book,

printed in a 50 copy edition is Karasik’s tribute to the

repressed poet, in particular, and to repressed art, in

general. The text is printed in offset on grey paper.

The main feature of the book is its cardboard covers

upon which nine wrappers from Belomorkanal (White

Sea Canal) cigarettes packs have been mounted. The

cardboard slipcase is lithographed in colour.