"Ideally a book would have no order to it, and the reader would have to discover his own".
Mark Twain
One of my favourite notions about books ever. This idea reflects exactly why I love making unbound books as artists' books. I love that folk can interact with them, tell or re-tell a story in their preferred manner. Change the ending if needs be.
I made a beautiful unbound book for a friend many years ago and wrote these words to accompany it:
Mark Twain
One of my favourite notions about books ever. This idea reflects exactly why I love making unbound books as artists' books. I love that folk can interact with them, tell or re-tell a story in their preferred manner. Change the ending if needs be.
I made a beautiful unbound book for a friend many years ago and wrote these words to accompany it:
"A few notes on your book, from the
maker.
I thought about the nature of the words and
the work; and how they represented parts of, points in, your life; perhaps
markers or moments of significance, small or large. They formed a sort of story (never whole,
never complete) and I wanted to be able to reflect that whilst moments make
their mark, they do not have to dictate our life to us.
The book is not stitched, deliberately, to
allow you to move the pages around, change the telling or the way you remember things. Once a book is stitched, the sequence is set
and the story gets told only in one direction.
I have also included some blank pages. For me these could represent a number of
things – the fact that there are more stories to be told and that life has not
yet been fully lived; that there might be moments too difficult to face in
writing; or that part of our life is about moments of nothingness when there is
either a lovely empty time or stretches of time where nothing truly significant
occurs. You are of course free to view them and use them as you wish".
 |
| ©2012 Fiona Dempster - Jacaranda blossoms fall |
This image matches the blog post only tangentially; the sense of life along a pathway, strewn with moments. Reflecting Jennifer and Julie's ongoing search for the rainbow...
I have been pondering on things of late and think I might have come to the end of my Thursday Thoughts. At least for a while. Next Thursday marks the fourth year of my Thursday ponderings which started here and I think it might be time to take a break. I'll post on art next week, then go quiet. Not sure if anything will replace them; or when I will return to them, but I have enjoyed them as I've gone along...
What a stunning photograph, if I walked in there I'd never come out!
ReplyDeleteAmazing isn't it Louise? It happens every year, just outside the show grounds and I am always stunned and enamoured!
Deleteas i build some books here, i will bear in mind your thoughts-GOOD thoughts-about order and story. thanks, fiona.
ReplyDeleteThanks Velma - I like thinking this way for certain books; for other books I want to dictate; but the unbound book offers so much opportunity - I always think a blank page here or there, even in a bound book, lets the readers add something even if only in their imagination. Go well!
DeleteI love this idea of the unbound story! Thanks for posting that lovely photo of the blossom-strewn path. I agree with Louise...so magical...who could bear to leave it!-Julie
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - it's nice to think about books in a different way every now and again, and yes, that pathway is absolutely magical!
DeleteI too like the idea of a book with pages that don't follow a specific sequence for all readers. They will be 'bound' and finished by each one of them individually, just like the pages of our lives. And I agree with Louise, if I ever came upon a page as beautiful as that path, I'd never want to leave it.
ReplyDeleteSo true Ersi - it's wonderful to allow some books to be finished in our own way and at our own time. That path is pretty gorgeous - we drive past it every day for weeks on end and some days you just have to stop and photograph it.
DeleteI love your Thursday Ponderings Fiona and re books... I love the codex form, the turning of the page, the protective binding, the wonder of opening at the beginning and then being immersed in the tale to the satisfaction of closing the book gently at the end with a sigh knowing it can be revisited. & the magic in the way a book will jump off the shelf & open at a significant page right when it's needed... I'll be quiet now too...
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I love the codex too - and you have described it so eloquently. That moment when you close the book, hold it in your hand, turn it over and just hold it again...
DeleteSome artists' books are beautiful and best as unbound books; most of my books are in the codex form; but I do love the interaction and possibility of an unbound book! Go well.
I love the idea of an unbound book and what it means, in your eloquent words. The violet pathway is utterly amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharmon, I'm glad you got the sense of why I love them, when they are the right thing to do...and yes a purple pathway of perfection!
DeleteDon't be too quiet, Fiona, your words are always very special. And oh, the jacaranda pathway!
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'll be silent Carol and may be back before I know it, but have listened to the quiet voice within for the moment. And yes, jacarandas are one of our wonders up here in the warmth and this pathway delights each and every year. Go well.
DeleteWow - almost four years of enjoyment reading your Thursday Thoughts. Not always commenting on them but certainly taking time to think about what you have said. Thursdays won't be quite the same! A mammoth effort though Fiona and one that has touched the hearts of many. x
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend - I have enjoyed them also and may yet miss stopping and pondering...but for now, I'll be a little bit quieter....
DeleteThis petal strewn pathway is beyond beautiful as are your words ... I'm so glad I stopped here, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks You bsd, the pathway never fails to fill me with delight each year as it appears. I'm glad you enjoyed the words you found on your visit, go well.
DeleteI've enjoyed reading your take on life, art and books. I'll miss coming here each Thursday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jac - I expect I will miss them too, and might be back; but we'll see. It has been a joy to stop and reflect on things...go well.
Delete