Lysistrata, back board finished for the time being.

I really like to work free hand, the joy of using mixed media allows for so much freedom of expression. Though the traditional aspects of the book are important..... and when used well are a joy to behold... I do find them somewhat limiting at times and to be frank boring. 

As ore is added more is hidden, I know it is there. Perhaps to be exposed later.

A touch more manipulation, more depth, more colour, more movement.

Detail, small things matter. Now for the front board, the protest, the strength of reason and to resist.

Lysistrata, Collage begins.

Ancient Greece divided by war.

Invasion.

The protagonists.

Time and date.

Wasting of blood.

Lessons never learnt.

The idea is to build up multiple layers, tearing off as I go. Rather like Affiches lacerees  (torn posters) I suppose one could say Papier dechire  (a collage of torn papers) This takes longer than one may imagine, not only is it in collecting the images, torn paper etc but also in the composition. A balancing act of not letting it look thrown together whilst creating a narrative without over working it.

Kintsugi Binding and stand finished.

Lysistrata, base dying complete.

I am liking this the book.

The base dying is complete.

Though we think of the obvious, there are the underlying tensions of the Peloponnesian war. The base dying reflects the chaos and destruction of war. 

The women sacrifice wine to the gods and old men try to burn them out of the Acropolis and the women swear to stop having sex with their men folk until peace breaks out.

There are mock fights lots of singing and frustrated men all over the place.

The next phase of the binding work is to start on the inlays, text (a big NO) and graphics (images of a nature), this will be in collage.

The Lysistrata of Aristophanes, first dying process.

The Lysistrata of Aristophanes. Forwarding the book.

Forgive the terrible image.

After guarding all the sections the text block was  sewn with an unsupported link stitch with secondary sewing through the first spine lining of Fraynot. After end banding the boards were attached and hand dyed leather skirting to the head and tail. The hollow was then applied to the area between the skirting and the final spine piece cut over long and adhered to the hollow only.

I am using a fair-isg goatskin. Reduced to 0.7 on the Scharf-Fix and then to 0.6 by hand. The turn-ins were reduced to 0.5, again on the Scharf-Fix and finished of to 0.4 by hand.

Now to start on the design. Where is my wine list ?

Man Booker Binder 2013

Have just been informed that I will be one of this years Man Booker Binders.

The Lysistrata of Aristophanes by Aubrey Beardsley.

 Boo Boo Pink endbands. What a super name for a delicious colour.

The endpapers, pinkish fragments of part of one of the illustrations.

Summer and Flottage.

 The sun has arrived and with it out-door pursuits.

A morning of colour. Papers decorated, ready to use on bindings.