LSTNG

The plan for my first book is as follows:

    I'm really interested in developing perspectives on battle, from the most literal interpretation to a more figurative interpretation. I obviously have my own opinions on battle/war, but I'm aiming at juxtaposing ideas to the point where it's almost unreadable as a book about battle, and ultimately leaving the viewer with some breathing room for formulating their own opinion. I'm ultimately aiming to develop a discussion with the viewer, and not leave them with any sort of definite answer, but more of an inquiry. The viewer should finish the book and feel questioned, not told how to think.

MATERIALS

    The aesthetic of the book will be a literal juxtaposition of media. The book will be kept in a leather case, imitating that of the industrial materials used in the military. Encased with the book will be odds and ends that you would find on any person that confront the viewer point blank, showing the human that carries these plans. The book will have an olive green canvas cover, with a strap and a button to keep it closed. The contents of the book will consist of several sketches, each sketch being a form of print. The sketches are considered studies, and I'll look at them as a free-write. Because of it's delicate nature, I'm looking to use rice paper for each page. This will be the second thing that shows the fragility of human life, the first being the odds and ends that confront the viewer. Although the pages will be free-writes or studies, I'd still like to play around with specific contents (altered battle plans, maps, script).

Most of this I already own or have access to, but can be found at utrecht or antique store on 1st St.

-Leather

-Buttons

-Needle and thread

-Screen printing

-Spray paint

-Cut paper

-Canvas

-Military patches

-Battle plans

-Maps

-Rice paper

PROCESS

The most time consuming bit will be the construction of the book. But in terms of process, it should be fairly easy. I'm looking to construct the book with needle and thread, sewing the pages at the spine to the canvas cover. The pages will be mostly an intuitive and playful process, and really once underway should be finished pretty quickly. The book will be constructed very similar to that of a soft cover moleskin sketchbook.

RSRCH

Well, to start things off...

     I'm posting a few images to display a bit of direction for my first book. I'm planning on displaying and describing a few different perspectives on battle plans. To me, battle is a few things. A game. Nostalgia. Really gross. Classy. Not real. Concrete. Fragile. A cluster F*ck of different feelings and ideas that all get pushed into one action. War is very simple, and in some ways it makes so much sense. But ultimately, humanity knows better than what battle accomplishes. So with my book, I'd like to create a discussion with the viewer on what war/battle really is. I'd like to describe the form of battle, the achievements of battle, and the fragility of human life. These things will be presented in a very figurative way, and will not be spoon fed to the viewer. By presenting a literal description, I wouldn't be leaving room for the viewer to formulate their own opinion.