wkng & tkng with Aristotle

This edition, which is limited to 11 copies, was printed and bound entirely by the artist. The work interprets Aristotle’s concept of the virtues and his peripatetic ideas through a precisely colour-coded graphical visualization. The work comprises 8 original pencil drawings, followed by a series of 11pages, one for each virtue, stamped with wooden letters, and 11 rubber-block printed compositions that interrogate the range of a virtue, all executed by hand. It includes an original text by me which contextualizes Aristotle’s ethical concepts. Studying the philosophical concepts embedded in “Walking and talking with Aristotle” required to engage in an intensive dialog with the philosopher. In order to create the synergy necessary to immerse myself in this conversation, I chose a meticulous hands-on and labor-intensive process, requiring heightened focus.                                                                                                                                      

The 8 original drawings were drawn and redrawn 11 times, the 10 words printed with wooden letters were hand stamped letter by letter, and the rubber-block printed compositions were inked and printed one form at a time – thus each of the 11 copies entailed hundreds of hand impressions. The hot foil embossed words were set and pressed one by one, 4 per page, making use of a Krause manual press. The work employs four distinct Japanese papers, differentiated by their rattle or sound, transparency and softness. Finally, the bindings were hand-stitched in coptic manner.

The book is housed in a Japanese wooden box made of Paulownia wood, with an inlay of thin board covered with wax paper. The box is very light in colour and weight, and carries a rubber-block print on the cover. All prints were executed with oil colour.