Saturday, February 16, 2013

My starry starry night

I enjoyed making this book although at times it was hard.  There were time pressures - never enough. Days without power when we were just trying to keep going not really doing or making things. And then just the usual creative challenges! I am also happy with how it finished up.

I thought about binding the small pages as a book; I thought about popping them in to an accordion book with a fold so you could pull them in and out and move them around;  I thought about placing them on white paper; and I thought about a really tall standing book.

In the end I attached them to black paper, and made a fairly short concertina book.  I love those multiple explorations! So here it is...

I often like to make a wrap for my books. This one uses the cut-outs from the cover over a soft grey paper.


The book can be viewed in different ways. I like this opening where the cover and pages are overlapped, and imagery hinted at.


Then it can be opened page by page, a spread at a time. The images dance up and down across the pages ever so slightly.






The thread tying the book together is a line of calligraphy, which simply reads "starry starry night" over and over again. The writing is compressed and elongated along the lines of some of the work I did with Massimo Pollelo recently. I wanted to put some of that into practice; and also wanted to link this book to that point in time. I will always remember the workshop and this book happening around the same time now.



In between each concertina page where the artwork is presented, I did an extra couple of folds. This was initially to provide strength for the book when standing, but it also offered me the opportunity to introduce two more design elements.  I brought in the cut-out triangles that I used on a few pages of Susan's book and they create a lovely sense of starriness, and here below echo the marks she made on one page as well.


The extra folds also let me do something I had hoped to be able to do - make a star book!


I love how the book has an architectural feel to it as it stands as well.



And a reminder of where it all began...


It is one of the pleasures of this collaboration for me, that each book I make with Susan is better than a book I would have made by myself. As part of the partnership I strive to make a really good book, and with the gentle nudges and pushes she gives me, I respond in new ways and I think I make better work as a result.  I keep pinching myself at how lucky we are to be nearby and so in tune, so willing to trust and share and stretch each other.

28 comments:

  1. The book is delightful! It was a pleasure to watch the process, thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Cathy - it's always nice when people like your work. I'm glad you enjoyed the process as well - it is often so time consuming and involved, but the twists and the turns are what gets you there in the end I think. Go well.

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  2. Awesome folding...and I love the starry theme.

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    1. Thanks Jo - the folding was quite fun in the end and not as daunting as it usually is. The theme came about almost because we were too tired to think of anything else - yet it has worked well.

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  3. F - beautifully resolved piece of work - another masterpiece from the brave collaborators. B

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    1. Thanks B - it feels as if it pulled together well in the end so to speak - and we did feel the need to be brave at certain points along the way - laugh!

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  4. Fantastic work, Fiona. I just love it!

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    1. Thanks Connie - it felt great to read those words! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  5. Wow, Fiona, it's truly a work of art in its own right. Such detail and precision!

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    1. Thanks Louise - it stands up by itself quite well - yet together they work well too. There are a surprising number of elements in this one for me - I am usually less likely to put things in; but I'm glad I did here. Go well and enjoy that new space!

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  6. This is a really beautiful structure for your book Fiona. I love the way the cut outs allow the light to twinkle through and the way your book folds out and becomes a star book. Cleverly and wonderfully worked.

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    1. Thanks Susan - it's nice when those little lightbulbs switch on and you think "oh I could try that!"and then follow them thru and find they worked...

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  7. Friedrich Nietzsche once said...

    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.

    if there is a fragment of chaos within you well beautiful it may be...you have given birth to stars that dance ever so gracefully entertwining themselved between your script that lays upon these pages...such a gorgeous piece little book...much love light and blessings be with you~

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    1. I love that quote Brandi - it fills me with delight to think of chaos and dancing stars...thank you for your kind words about my book as well!

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  8. This book is really wonderful, a creative and perfect work!
    Christine from Germany

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    1. Thank you Christine for stopping by and leaving a comment - I appreciate it very much. I'm also glad you enjoyed my book, I am happy with it and pleased to be able to share it. Go well.

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  9. book architecture, simple and effective.

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    1. Hi V- thank you! I sometimes think playing with books and their folds and the way they move and stand is one of the best part of bookiness. This little one has an architectural sense I think. Go well, enjoy your white.

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  10. Your latest book came together beautifully, Fiona! I love the 'datum' line of text running through the book (and how it connects you so well to the place in time in which you made the book), and those interim folds with the cutouts are a really dynamic addition. The palette is also stunning and dramatic, and so perfectly evocative of a starry starry night...

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    1. Thanks Lisa - when we aren't covered in mist our nights are often as dark and starry as this. I'm glad you can feel the sense of the book all the way over there - the linking line is nice I think. Go well

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    1. Hi Lyndell - thanks! I'm glad it worked for you - it has more elements than I usually work with so I'm pleased it still holds together.

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  12. The line of calligraphy running through the book is very striking and I love that the cut outs allow the light to shine through..... like stars twinkling at night.

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    1. Hi Robyn - I am slow replying sorry. The cut outs do just what I wanted - with the light peeking thru like stars...and I like how the calligraphic line anchors the pieces somehow; yet also looks a bit like the milky way.

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  13. Fiona, I am playing catch up here by reading both posts about your book collabroation with Susan. Yet again you've produced something unique. The repetition of starry starry night is beautiful. I love the way the light is reaching through the perforations to cast shadows. It is the ultimate star book... made by a star!

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    1. Apologies for a delayed response as well Lesley - and thank you. It must have been kind of fun to do the catch up and see them appear together and compare this and that. And don't the stars twinkle thru those cut-outs! I love when an idea actually works. It makes me feel a little bit like a star! Laugh. Go well...

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Jackie - I'm pleased you stopped by and let me know. Go well.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.