What a treasure, what an extraordinary artifact the Lindisfarne Gospels are! What perfection of detail, what complexity and harmony! I remember an exhibition of Persian carpets, once seen – the same immense and painstaking toil, the same rich imagination, the same perfect combination of lines and colors! The religion of beauty is certainly one that can unite us, no matter how different we are.
You're not the first to see the resemblance with carpets; some of the designs are (anachronistically?) referred to as "carpet pages." I'm also reminded of Ottoman ceramics. Another detail I didn't have space to mention: the book apparently brings together a range of Celtic and Germanic motifs, so that pilgrims would see their own tradition included. Like you say, the religion of beauty unites.
Many thanks! I felt silly at times taking so long over some newsletter designs, but I believe you should accept a challenge and enjoy the process when you can.
I have to admit I wouldn't have made the link to 8th century religious typography but I see it now in the shape of the "P" - my first though was a 1960s TV title influence. Either way - I like it!
It’s fascinating how people always draw different connections and associations between things. When someone shows me an artwork they’ve made, I have to restrain myself from saying what it reminds me of, in case they take offence. Admittedly I did depart a long way from my source here, since overtly medieval styles have “ye olde” connotations.
What a treasure, what an extraordinary artifact the Lindisfarne Gospels are! What perfection of detail, what complexity and harmony! I remember an exhibition of Persian carpets, once seen – the same immense and painstaking toil, the same rich imagination, the same perfect combination of lines and colors! The religion of beauty is certainly one that can unite us, no matter how different we are.
You're not the first to see the resemblance with carpets; some of the designs are (anachronistically?) referred to as "carpet pages." I'm also reminded of Ottoman ceramics. Another detail I didn't have space to mention: the book apparently brings together a range of Celtic and Germanic motifs, so that pilgrims would see their own tradition included. Like you say, the religion of beauty unites.
Fascinating work here (the manuscript and your own approach to rebelling against flat, internet minimalism).
Many thanks! I felt silly at times taking so long over some newsletter designs, but I believe you should accept a challenge and enjoy the process when you can.
Vaguely recall Illich writing about 'bookishness' (a term he borrowed from George Steiner) and the need for small groups of committed readers.
Illich has a lovely essay on this, the text and the university, if you haven't already come across it:
" In the train of my thoughts, I am aware of the parentheses, the italics, the paragraphs, the need for a footnote...
To an alarming degree, the structure of the page is the outline of my thoughts..."
I have to admit I wouldn't have made the link to 8th century religious typography but I see it now in the shape of the "P" - my first though was a 1960s TV title influence. Either way - I like it!
It’s fascinating how people always draw different connections and associations between things. When someone shows me an artwork they’ve made, I have to restrain myself from saying what it reminds me of, in case they take offence. Admittedly I did depart a long way from my source here, since overtly medieval styles have “ye olde” connotations.