"With Love" (2015)
In this project I explore the book as a territory and concentrate on the traces people leave on it. I searched through second-hand bookstores around Portsmouth and found books with personal dedications inscribed by hand. As found object, these books are unique in their shape and the marks they have acquired with time and use. I portray the physical body of these books because it is the place where the book's life and the human lives it touched intertwine.
I chose to scan the books using a black background as it creates an objective, almost archival image.
I present the cover of the book alongside the two-page spread containing the personal dedication. By doing that I attempt to give clues both to the journey of the book itself, and the life of the people mentioned in the dedication.
The inscriptions themselves offer fragments of information for the viewer to create their own imaginary story about the book and owner. The title, subject matter of the book, the author's dedication, andthe date of release also provide a historical and thematic context in which the narrative can unfold.
Amongst all the books I found I chose to present only three - one about war, a bible and one about friendship. I placed The Bible in the centre of the threein response to the traditional triptych found in churches. The project is titled “With Love” because of the recurrent use of the word love in the dedications.
I chose to scan the books using a black background as it creates an objective, almost archival image.
I present the cover of the book alongside the two-page spread containing the personal dedication. By doing that I attempt to give clues both to the journey of the book itself, and the life of the people mentioned in the dedication.
The inscriptions themselves offer fragments of information for the viewer to create their own imaginary story about the book and owner. The title, subject matter of the book, the author's dedication, andthe date of release also provide a historical and thematic context in which the narrative can unfold.
Amongst all the books I found I chose to present only three - one about war, a bible and one about friendship. I placed The Bible in the centre of the threein response to the traditional triptych found in churches. The project is titled “With Love” because of the recurrent use of the word love in the dedications.
Lord Roberts
"To those brave men who suffered and were silent, died and made no sign, were merciful in victory, and patient in privation." – Author’s dedication.
Lord Roberts. A biography by Violet Brooke-Hunt.Author of “The story of Westminster Abbey,” With a conclusive chapter by E. Major.
This Edition first publishes in December 1914.
Found in the British Heart Foundation shop on Commercial Road, Portsmouth, 2015.
"To those brave men who suffered and were silent, died and made no sign, were merciful in victory, and patient in privation." – Author’s dedication.
Lord Roberts. A biography by Violet Brooke-Hunt.Author of “The story of Westminster Abbey,” With a conclusive chapter by E. Major.
This Edition first publishes in December 1914.
Found in the British Heart Foundation shop on Commercial Road, Portsmouth, 2015.
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible (Illustrated) containing the Old and New Testaments. Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by
His Majesty’s special command. Appointed to be read in churches.
Authorised King James Version. Printed by Authority.
Found in the British Heart Foundation shop on Commercial Road, Portsmouth, 2015.
The Holy Bible (Illustrated) containing the Old and New Testaments. Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by
His Majesty’s special command. Appointed to be read in churches.
Authorised King James Version. Printed by Authority.
Found in the British Heart Foundation shop on Commercial Road, Portsmouth, 2015.
The Friendship Book
“I count myself in nothing else so happy, as in a soul remembering my good friends.” From Richard II by William Shakespeare. - Author’s dedication.
The Friendship Books of Francis Gay.A Thought For Each Day In 1981.
Found in a second-hand bookstore on Albert Road, Portsmouth, 2015.
“I count myself in nothing else so happy, as in a soul remembering my good friends.” From Richard II by William Shakespeare. - Author’s dedication.
The Friendship Books of Francis Gay.A Thought For Each Day In 1981.
Found in a second-hand bookstore on Albert Road, Portsmouth, 2015.