I started this
white on white concertina book a few months ago. It started out as a 'stepped' book with different pages cut to different heights. I stitched my handwritten words onto it, I punched holes, drew ladders and made marks.
I didn't like it. I didn't like the clunkiness of the steps - too harsh or too obvious for this delicate piece. So I chopped it off! About 6 weeks ago I cut it right back to the shortest 'step' and made it much more like a stubby square book.
Much nicer! It felt more intimate and more interesting.
I then decided to make it another 'book in a box'. Partly because my latest one had been snaffled for the
Southern Cross University's exhibition and therefore wouldn't be available for our own exhibition.
I like it more now. It snuggles in its box and the box is a combination of white, cream and tarlatan; to give it a really book-box feel. As a piece it reminds me of how the story/journey all begins and ends with home...
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| ©Fiona Dempster 2011 TJBAEWH (box) |
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| ©Fiona Dempster 2011 TJBAEWH |
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| ©Fiona Dempster 2011 TJBAEWH (detail) |
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| ©Fiona Dempster 2011 TJBAEWH (detail) |
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| ©Fiona Dempster 2011 TJBAEWH - half opened |
This is lovely. Books and boxes are two of my favourite things. Both demand to be opened and explored.
ReplyDeleteFiona - this is a great piece, I love the white on white and that it needed to go through different incarnations until it felt right! The box is gorgeous - I think I love it as much as its contents! - for me, boxes always make books feel more precious, like treasures requiring safeguarding either because of their cost, rarity or fragility. Even if you know what's inside, there is always a little thrill, like opening a gift, when you reveal the contents. Good work!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - thanks for visiting and commenting. I agree, boxes and books are perfect companions and both deserve to be opened and explored!
ReplyDeleteG/TT - In the end the box worked out for the best (an initial disaster, but we recovered!). There is some magical association or wonder about opening a box to discover the delights within. Glad you like the white on white approach as well!
a le guin book called always coming home, that title has stayed with me the 30 years since i read it.
ReplyDeletelovely, delicate work - can't wait to see them all together on 12th xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely combination - the book and the box. I liked the book in its previous life but this has turned out to be an elegant reworking. All the best in these busy days before your exhibition.
ReplyDeleteV always coming home is an interesting thought....
ReplyDeleteN - thanks we look forward to you being at the opening too!
Carol - thanks for your thoughts it is all a bit mad at the moment. Glad that the reworking works!
Love all the white on white, the way light changes the work and bounces about and really like that you have made a box for the book where it can rest in the dark. i find the ounched holes in the paper really powerful, another way for the light to move. Thanks Fiona, great piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz - I love white on white and how it lets shadows and light play; and their quietness too I think.
ReplyDelete