A Thousand Starlings

Creator

Rhiannon Alpers
Special Collections, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow
Fleet Library, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow

Files

Creation Date

2016

Keywords

artists' books; birds in art; metaphor in art; letterpress printing

Description

1 volume, 20 pages. Date of publication from colophon. "This book was inspired by sleep-deprived dreams as a new mother in the Summer of 2016. Written, illustrated, and printed by Rhiannon Alpers. Letterpress printed with photopolymer plates and monotype, with an under layer of hand painted stars beneath, on Somerset Velvet Black."--Colophon. Rhiannon Alpers: "The book explores an imagined journey, being carried through the comfort of ones dreams. A journey guided by a murmuration of a thousand starlings, undulating and wisping through the evening sky, their soft voices calming and cooing as they head into the unknown. "Metaphors abound in this book. The support system of family and friends manifests in the starlings, and the twilight evokes a sense of comfort and stability amidst the unknown. The many threads pulling the dreamer along in this world are the guiding voices that safely and carefully show us our way. When we steer off course they gently nudge us and support us as we explore an unknown route. Murmurations themselves have an astonishing and dreamlike effect. Their immense rhythm and flow symbolizes the thin line between the dream and day. "Much of the symbolism also stems from the authors rekindled interest in the long tradition of fables, passed on in her new nightly rituals of telling stories to small ears and eager eyes in the low light of the evening. It is in these final hours that our day fades away and our imagination is carried off to many wondrous places."--Vamp and Tramp bookseller website. One of 30 signed and numbered copies. Flutter accordion construction. Letterpress printed with photopolymer plates and monotype, with an under layer of hand painted stars beneath, on Somerset Velvet Black paper. The endsheets are Fabriano Tiziano Anthracite and bound in Asahi Grey Crepe bookcloth. Foil stamped birds and title. Secret Belgian binding with Italian film yarn.

RISD Fleet Library Catalog Record

https://librarycat.risd.edu/record=b1602838~S4

Press

San Francisco, California : Gazelle & Goat Press, [2016]

Rights

©Alpers, Rhiannon, San Francisco, CA: Gazelle & Goat Press, 2016

Materials / Techniques

folded books; paper

Measurements

19 cm