In amongst the busy-ness of life, I was hoping to get a wee book made to enter into the Eco-Edition exhibition being hosted by 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland, Oregon from 15 November to 28 December 2013.
It is a juried exhibition so I was really into hope - hoping to get one done in time to enter; and hoping that it might get selected.
I got the good news last week that my wee book "We have bee-n warned" was selected to be shown with 39 other books.
I based it on a quote by Albert Einstein
"If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have 4 years left to live".
As a short descriptor I wrote:
"I worry about bees. Bees are critical to our food chain and their role in harvesting pollen from blossoms is at risk in different parts of the world. Albert Einstein’s wise words act as a reminder to us and this book presents his warning with the warmth of beeswax, and the chill of a ransom note".
I have made an edition of 15. The covers are individually dipped in beeswax and the scent is divine. I keep walking past them, picking them up and inhaling the wonderful honey smell.
I am really happy with the translucency of the cover and the way the words appear to hang in mid air.
I rummaged through my collection of wood type and have hand-stamped or hand-printed every page of every book. You have to do that when you don't have access to a letter press...
Albert Einstein's name is hand written in each book as well.
Detail of one page.
I think the ransom note idea also adds a sense of urgency to the book. We need bees to survive and we need to protect them!
It is a juried exhibition so I was really into hope - hoping to get one done in time to enter; and hoping that it might get selected.
I got the good news last week that my wee book "We have bee-n warned" was selected to be shown with 39 other books.
I based it on a quote by Albert Einstein
"If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have 4 years left to live".
As a short descriptor I wrote:
"I worry about bees. Bees are critical to our food chain and their role in harvesting pollen from blossoms is at risk in different parts of the world. Albert Einstein’s wise words act as a reminder to us and this book presents his warning with the warmth of beeswax, and the chill of a ransom note".
I have made an edition of 15. The covers are individually dipped in beeswax and the scent is divine. I keep walking past them, picking them up and inhaling the wonderful honey smell.
I am really happy with the translucency of the cover and the way the words appear to hang in mid air.
I rummaged through my collection of wood type and have hand-stamped or hand-printed every page of every book. You have to do that when you don't have access to a letter press...
Albert Einstein's name is hand written in each book as well.
Detail of one page.
I think the ransom note idea also adds a sense of urgency to the book. We need bees to survive and we need to protect them!
Lovely book and great meassage!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina - it worked out well in the end I thought!
Deletenoice one (including the plea for bees.... ) xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Ronnie - I worry! We leave so many of our vegetables to go to seed and flower for as long as we can for the bees...there are lots of hives nearby and I am thrilled and happy about that; but we are the fortunate ones...
Delete'Wonderful - great concept
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyndell! Sometimes simple and straightforward works!
DeleteLove it, fantastic idea. My sister-in-law keeps bees, their plight is worrying.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie - I think bees need all the friends they can get. So glad your sister in law is keeping them as well!
DeleteThis is quite something, Fiona. I also had that immediate ransom note reading to it when I first looked, and it grabbed me. The cover is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Valerianna - I'm glad you got that ransom note feel! It's a scary future without them...
DeleteI really like the cover too and am glad I worked out how to do it.
Clever, from concept to execution...you deep-thinker you.
ReplyDeleteI laughed Jo! It's true tho I really do worry about the future of bees and their ability to do what is so critical for our livelihoods and lives...
DeleteWonderful, I can smell them from here. I watch the insects a lot at my plot. We'd get no fruit and vegetables without them - none of us in the whole world. So it's a topic close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteAhh Annie - the scent is intoxicating! Perhaps we can all become duckpond watchers and bee vigilantes...we really do need them and Mr Einstein was not a silly person.
DeleteI worry about bees in my garden too and I really like this book Fiona. Love the simplicity of structure which focuses and emphasizes the urgent and important message.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen - bees in the garden are good! Simple, short, sharp seemed to work with this one. Go well.
Deleteyou have been a busy bee ..... wonderful little books Fiona. x
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Susan! It makes me smile - in amongst it all I just had to make this book...
DeleteIronically I was watching a video about waxing paper last night and it kick-started a conversation with the beekeeper about beeswax. I will show him this post and he will no doubt echo your concerns Fiona whilst loving the book. So glad it was selected because it comes from the heart and should be seen. Well done you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley - it's no masterpiece but hopefully gets the message across. You could have a wonderful supply of beeswax at hand...
ReplyDelete