Melt

Books are receptacles of stories. They’re like sculptures of information – words and stories made into tangible objects. Books are also metaphors for people’s identities and memories. The pieces revolve around the idea of the breakdown of these identities and the slow dissolution of memories. Specific stories and personalities dissolve and run together. Singular identities lose cohesion until they become anonymous. The books try to depict that moment before all identity and story dissolves. In that moment, the object is in flux and becomes something new and different.

Alunsina Handbound Journal Unwrapped

I’m a moleskine guy. Even if it feels a bit overpriced, I still buy the carnet de croquis because a lot of my painting ideas were born in those notebooks.

Nevertheless, I always love a well-crafted journal, especially one made by local crafters.

I found about Alusina Handbound Books on Instagram and after requesting a catalog, I sent in an order for a handmade journal along with a couple of mini-journal necklaces that I gave out as gifts.

A couple of weeks ago, my journal arrived and because I love receiving packages, I just wanted to document the unwrapping.

The craftsmanship of the journal is excellent and then paper stock is thick enough to take in ink without soaking up the back of the page. The price is also reasonable for the quality of the product.

Visit their facebook page for more information on their products.

INK Flipping: Ang INK Catalogs over the years

The Ang INK (Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan) catalog is a DIY piece made by the members and given to various companies and publications who may need the services of an illustrator. It’s a self-promo piece and sadly, it has seen better days. Over the years, the catalog has gotten thinner and thinner. Extending deadlines never seems to help as fewer and fewer members bother to make entries.

There used to be a time when entries by Pepper Roxas and Robert Alejandro were lovely little fold-out affairs. Having seen their entries when I was new member inspired me to make my own entries different every year.

For the INK Orientation Seminar yesterday, Fran Alvarez made a short video (shot and edited with her iPhone 4S no less) showcasing some INK Catalogs over the years. Here’s hoping it inspires both old and new members to submit their own exciting entries.