#daniel essig

#ArtsyFriday

What could be better than a historically inspired wooden book? How about a miniature historically inspired wooden book chained to a larger one!

 [Chained book on a book], a book object from artist Daniel Essig, features a double coptic stitch bound wooden book with a chained miniature book attached to the front board. Made in the style of an ancient codex, the tome is finished with brass bosses and leather clasps at the fore-edge. The curly oak wooden boards are covered with painted UICB paper that mimics the look of worn leather. The text block is completely blank, although the miniature features what appears as German blackletter printer’s waste. This is one of my favorite pieces to bring to classes, where it can spark a lot of conversations about historical practices like chained books and printer’s waste to how historical structures can be re-imagined in a contemporary piece. 

--Laura 

#ArtsyFartsyFriday

In between bouts of rain, I’ve been noticing a lot of activity at my backyard birdfeeder this week, so it feels appropriate to share one of my favorite artists book inspired by feathered visitors. Sentinella, an artists’ book by Daniel Essig is one of my favorite things in the stacks. 

An edition of one, it was made by the North Carolina based artist in 2013 and is an excellent example of an artists’ book as object. A creator of artists’ books and book-based sculpture, the artist creates art and structures inspired by historical bindings. Featuring a carved bird, bespeckled with text, the avian sentinel perches on a wooden boat filled with metal type and a miniature book. The miniature book is blank; two thorns are set under glass in the front cover. The book, boat, and bird are made of Italian Olive, mahogany, milk paint, printers type, mica, and thorns; the miniature book is bound in an Ethiopian Coptic style. 

--Laura 

x-Collection NC7433.4 .E88 S45 2013

Reliquary Book in steel (in the style of Daniel Essig)

my project from this weekend x)

surely there’s no more pictur-

I love this little thing far too much. Made with steel plate, paper, ipe wood, mica plates, and a shark tooth from our local beach. +fasteners

I don’t think many people on here know this, but bookbinding is one of my hobbies, and this is the smallest I’ve done yet!

Books On Books Collection – Andrew White Tuer

Miniature Monday!  (I made it...).

This tiny mini blank book is chained to its larger relative, and fits in the little recess in the cover. 

Statement from the artist's website: (Click here!)

"Until fairly recently all books were prized possessions — medieval libraries chained books to the shelves to prevent theft. In those days each volume was crafted with precision, elaborately decorated and embellished with precious stones and metals. I aim to make my books just as precious as those medieval manuscripts."

[Chained book on a book].  [Asheville, NC : Dan Essig, 1999]

Catalog: N7433.4.E55 C5 1999a