Familiar friend

I found a familiar friend while walking around Fort Point this afternoon.

Numeri Cardinali

I've found myself recently returning to bookmaking. It is a satisfying combination of precision, sequence, and materiality. It is also a format that is a natural extension of my sketchbooks.

I feel like I've had a rather slow epiphany about it all.

I decided to give myself a little challenge:
1. Complete a book in 5 days
2. Use only the ephemera in the top drawer of my flat file and materials on hand in the studio (nothing can be purchased or manufactured)

(click to enlarge) the result...


Numeri Cardinali
accordion structure with hardcovers
sumi ink, block-printing, and ephemera with hand-stitching
4 x 24" opened





Detail of panel 2 and 3.





Detail of panel 4. There is something compelling and slightly odd about the children (from a vintage Italian postcard).


copyright Kate Castelli 2010

The City

The City
Pages 10-11 (Canis Major)
Block print on graph paper and Sumi ink on vintage book page
8.5 x 6.375" opened


My book, The City, is featured in The Artful Scriptorium, a show of artists' books, opening this weekend at Climate Gallery.

The City evolved from a an old guidebook to London that I found at one of my favorite used bookshops. I bought the book for its maps, but as I was reading the contents I noticed the author took great poetic liberty in their description of London. I was intrigued and began to isolate words and phrases. The resulting pages came together into what Tristian Tzara would call a found poem, an unconscious narrative.

The City
The heart should not go unnoticed by the night.
To leave unseen,
and admiring something more that lies beyond--
Only to be found.

One remembers only--
a glimpse of home,
corresponding closely with distant journeys.

A man acquainted with the footsteps of the metropolis,
so vast to traverse,
will have little heart.

Passing with pleasant endurance
the remain hours of daylight--
Bewildering.

Seeing all that overlooked a view,
devoted for a moment in a morning or an afternoon.
END.


The City
detail of pages 10-11 (Canis Major)


The isolated words reminded me of star maps, and each page of text is accompanied by a particular constellation block print. The whole book became this very formal poetic exercise. Part of me likes the idea of the book better than the end result. It's all very DaDa.

copyright Kate Castelli 2010

Small chairs

Small chair studies
ink on paper
7 x 9.5" opened

A sketchbook spread of small chair studies. The largest of which is only 1.25 x 3"






Their small size inspired me to make a miniature accordion book of ghost chairs.






Small Chairs
accordion book with clothbound covers
unique edition
1.375 x 2.125" page size
2.125 x 16.5" opened

copyright Kate Castelli 2010