Barry and I completed the large standing aluminium books for the Compassion exhibition over the weekend.
They are a lovely team effort: with joint design; Barry's skills at managing metal; and my calligraphy. They come together in a beautifully resolved fashion, showing the wear and tear of the salvaged aluminium as well. You can see more about the process (and our hi-tech approach to it grin) over here at Barry's blog.
Each cover has this image on it - referencing for us the threeness of the books, and based on an African concept of Ubuntu. It has many meanings and definitions, yet Archbishop Desmond Tutu described it thus:
"A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed".
And for us, the notion encompassed how we felt about these books; the spirit we hope is imbued in them.
This image taken of a cover with the rivets to the left, and before being bent/opened.
I love how elements of the cover design have etched...
And the calligraphy on the inside page is quiet, yet somehow beautiful. Again with three dots repeated as a motif.
Peeking inside the book of care...
And sitting on our car turning circle deck...
Where they clearly can't stay because of cars needing to turn and all!
They are made to be outdoor sculptures and we hope they stand the test of time wherever they finish up.
They are a lovely team effort: with joint design; Barry's skills at managing metal; and my calligraphy. They come together in a beautifully resolved fashion, showing the wear and tear of the salvaged aluminium as well. You can see more about the process (and our hi-tech approach to it grin) over here at Barry's blog.
Each cover has this image on it - referencing for us the threeness of the books, and based on an African concept of Ubuntu. It has many meanings and definitions, yet Archbishop Desmond Tutu described it thus:
"A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed".
And for us, the notion encompassed how we felt about these books; the spirit we hope is imbued in them.
This image taken of a cover with the rivets to the left, and before being bent/opened.
I love how elements of the cover design have etched...
And the calligraphy on the inside page is quiet, yet somehow beautiful. Again with three dots repeated as a motif.
Peeking inside the book of care...
And sitting on our car turning circle deck...
Where they clearly can't stay because of cars needing to turn and all!
They are made to be outdoor sculptures and we hope they stand the test of time wherever they finish up.
so beautiful, love the the play of light on the surface textures & those rivets work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mo! They are gentle and worn which I like - and yes to the rivets!
Deletethank you for teaching me about ubuntu ... such a peace-full concept and the symbol carries so much meaning in its gentle simplicity
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz - I always feel torn using ideas from other cultures, but this felt universal in a way...go well.
Deletethey are beautiful and the etching really works well on this piece. I'm sure they will stand the test of time....
ReplyDeleteThanks Annick - I think they will weather well!
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