The major issue with my work for Assignment 4 was that I overloaded it with too many themes and needed to interact with the text more. I purchased another copy of Dante’s Purgatorio and set about creating a new work.
In my first attempt I had used a lot of different pictures to collage and create a narrative around each of the seven deadly sins. I looked at each ‘sin’ in a neutral way and also through an evolutionary lens. This time I wanted to approach it in a more personal way without overcomplicating the book with too many images.
I found all the images I used on the site Pexels which features free to use images. I printed my images in black and white and then coloured them in lightly with a pencil to correspond with the colours for each of the sins. The colours traditionally associated with these sins are violet for pride, green for envy, red for wrath, light blue for sloth, yellow for avarice, orange for gluttony and blue for lust. I used pink for lust rather than blue as it made more sense to me.
I also had a copy of Robinson Crusoe for practise with my cutting technique.
When I started work on my new copy of Dante’s Purgatorio I firstly removed the notes section at the back so I could just work with the main body of the story. I then roughly divided the book into seven sections without worrying too much about the sections lining up with the narrative of the story.
My favourite part from my first attempt was the creation of cellophane windows that looked through to an image. The cellophane colour would match up as closely as possible to the corresponding sin colour. Instead of using glue that caused a lot of mess I opted for double sided sticky tape this time around which was more successful.
One I had attached the cellophane inside the middle of the section of pages I could shut it and stick it together in one piece.
So far this had been a similar approach to my first attempt, albeit with some different images and a less messy sticking technique. I now needed to interact with the text in a bigger way which was the major challenge in this reworking.
My idea for more interaction with the text was influenced by Tom Philips’ A Humument where he would draw over the majority of text and only leave a few words showing which creates new meanings and narratives.
I found this approach to be a much more rewarding way of interacting with the text. I wanted to fill the page further so I also used coloured pens to write the name of each sin stylistically and words connected to it. I also added some simple illustrations based on images I had used in the first book.
On some of the pages there was seep through from the other side so I solved this problem by using these pages to attach more of the cellophane and give the book even more tactile quality.
I liked the material I used for the cover in my first attempt so I used this again with Tipp-Ex to create the book title.
The new narrative I created is based around morality, guilt, hypocrisy and human nature. It is autobiographical in part and sometimes broken and non-traditional in sequence.
I enter and strive to make the dead echoes from the lamentations as scarlet as the snow. My genius, so cruel. Sadness filled the beauteous planet. The primal and widowed art deprived of turning a little to the other pole.
No more I know for true. Persons who in the shadow, who seemed to me fatigued, “Has thy usual habit seized upon thee?” My torment would so long revolve me, since the good rises from profit. From behind to conduct him. I turned and saw them watching with astonishment. In advance I gave no place for your condition.
Heaven tolerated not the robust breast, booty covered slain by violence. In sadness, the people with my face. I freed myself from untamed death. The good. I say expressly that defect thou see above smiling and happy, on this mountain top.
My sleep was broken. Off my face, I became my comforter. There came a lady, beauteous eyes, confidence, so did I change. I fortify a rift. As I opened more and more, I saw such in the face that I endured it not. Cracked.
My failing had been as a wave receding and advancing. Exalted love as any figure stamps itself in wax.
Happy at my own good fortune. I desire reinstate my fame. Discovering death has given him power and opes his eyes. I can penetrate intellect.
My blood was so with envy set on fire. Astonished when I remember the other is extinct. Love and courtesy does well.
Every good action is mobile. If right or wrong is united whence cometh the intelligence. Instinct and desire, blame containeth not. Within you is power, good, liberty, ethics, burden, reason, reverie.
Glory no longer could be seen within me. I am the siren sweet, wholly content.
Lament delight, whoever recognised the occasion not yet manifest. This spark within me, default of flesh, tell me truth. For weeping while I am marvelling for a better life I thought to find there underneath.
Slackened from purges, all contented I saw one dark look for hunger.
Her boundless power hushed. The fire of love seems always burning to please me at the mirror and sitteth all day long. Eager as I am to adorn, free and upright.
Beauteous lady, who in rays of love may the desire come, erect, produces seed, I smile, its nest.
The others shouted and then renew themselves, perpetual, recovered, revived. More profound upon earth, a citizen down through the tree, tossed by the waves, now starboard, a fleshless skeleton. Descend and leave a heart that mourns.
Reflection
I am much happier with this attempt at an altered book over my first. Streamlining the thematic content, particularly with the imagery, has brought greater clarity to the look of the book and its communication. The interaction with the text has created greater personal meaning and also a more engaging experience in my view. I have learnt from mistakes in my previous attempt at a technical level, e.g. using tape instead of glue, to create a better looking book. I am overall, happy with the results I have created here.
Images used
https://www.pexels.com/photo/textile-australian-flag-with-crumples-968311/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-clouds-with-thunder-3657143/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-sliced-orange-citrus-fruits-2090903/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-attractive-beautiful-beauty-415829/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-eye-4121712/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/pile-of-gold-round-coins-106152/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-attractive-beautiful-beauty-371109/
Daniel's OCA Blog: Book Design 1 