The Book of the Erinyes

[lazcorp]

OK, I've been mentioning my current art project in various other threads and in other places, but I want to tie it all together here.

The project I'm currently working on is a limited edition artists book.  Over the past few months I've completed a Letterpress Printing course (learning how to hand-set movable lead type, as was done before computers took over) which gives printed text an unevenness and a tactile quality (from the impression of the lead type) that you don't get with word-processed type, and also teaching myself hand book-binding techniques.

The artists books will be a limited edition set of between 30 and 50 individually hand-bound art objects, with fragments of letterpress-printed text providing a disjointed partial narrative to photographs collaged into the book (as opposed to an illustrated story). I'm reckoning on 6 image pages broken up by 1-2 pages of text (and sometimes that text will be just a couple of paragraphs).

The subject matter will be the Erinyes (more familiarly called the Furies) of Greek legend - avenging female demons whose role was to restore the natural order, pursuing murderers and other wrong-doers.  The text is somewhat in the style of a late 19th century apocalyptic text written by an opium addict.  You can view the initial drafts of the text so far on the Notebook.

Three Erinyes were named in Greek legends -  Alecto ("the never ending"), Megaira ("envious anger"), and Tisiphone ("voice of revenge")  - and it is these three who I am concentrating on.

There's more background to the project in the Notebook section of this site.

[lazcorp]

Just been drafting up a small-size version of the text on the computer.  The actual book will be larger, hand-printed on a Letterpress, and printed on a high quality art paper:

[lazcorp]

I had a dream last night that I made some short film clips to promote this series of books and put them up on YouTube.

They were no more than 2-3 minutes long, dark and dimly lit, and illustrated some of the scenes from the book, turning the still images and text into moving scenes. The Furies moved in the dark shadows beyond the circle of light that pooled on the narrator's desk.

I suspect I will never produce these film clips (due to lack of money, equipment, film expertise and scenery, amongst other things), but they now exist in my mind. One day...

[germseed]

how about a lo fi animation jobbie? or somethings like that..

[lazcorp]

Nah, it's got to be high quality and done in film - I have it all finalised in my mind. 

I'd love to make it, but I simply don't have the money, equipment or expertise.  So it'll never happen, but it's a really nice short film running through my head.

[lazcorp]

Last night I started work on designing a new mini-website for the Book of the Erinyes.  I'm rather pleased with it so far.  It's not ready to see yet, but I'll be announcing it very soon...

[lazcorp]

...and here it is:

www.bookoftheerinyes.com

Only tested it in Firefox so far.  I'll run it through Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari next week when I get a chance.

(Note: depending on your Internet Service Provider, it may take up to 72 hours until you can see it - I only registered the domain name today)

[lazcorp]

Finished testing in Windows (IE6, IE7, Firefox, Opera) and Mac (Safari) - all looks fine.  The Book of the Erinyes website is officially open.

[lazcorp]

The plan for next week:

• Monday-Wednesday: finish writing text for the Book of the Erinyes
• Thursday (payday!): pay dues at Brighton Printmaking Centre and book use of the Letterpress machine
• Saturday: buy the paper for the pages of the book
• The week after: start compositing the text and printing out the pages

[lazcorp]

Nah, it's got to be high quality and done in film - I have it all finalised in my mind. 

I'd love to make it, but I simply don't have the money, equipment or expertise.  So it'll never happen, but it's a really nice short film running through my head.

I sent an email to the local Freecycle group asking for a video camera and who replies but Sooty Kemp!

This dream is looking a little bit more possible!

[lazcorp]

and here it is:

[voiceoverpro]

Hi There, I am an award-wining Voiceover artist and do lots of trailers and ramatic presentations... \I really like your art -= and would like to know if you would be interested in swapping some artowrk , for a trailer voiceover recording...?

here are some of my examples ( I work in over 20 different accents, and have my own recording studio):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2P_PMqlT1U

www.adambehr.com

http://www.talentdatabase.com/channels/12-Communication/profiles/1588902-Adam-Behr/portfolios/1588302/portfolio_items

contact: tundramonkey1000@gmail.com

cheers
Adam Behr

[lazcorp]

Hi Adam

That's quite an interesting offer - I'll definitely have a think about that.  And that's not a polite way of brushing you off - I'm seriously interested.

Do you own any audio recording equipment so you could record a voice-over and send the resulting audio file to me?

And how on earth did you find this forum?  (Or were you browsing it anyway and saw an opportunity?)

[germseed]

hi adam, am enjoying your website 

[Dodges Unlimited Inc.]

...and here it is:

www.bookoftheerinyes.com

Only tested it in Firefox so far.  I'll run it through Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari next week when I get a chance.

(Note: depending on your Internet Service Provider, it may take up to 72 hours until you can see it - I only registered the domain name today)

  You've been a busy boy Paul! - This is great stuff, so: 

Keep up the good work!