Alfabeto Imaginario de Ricard Giralt Miracle

Another view of Ricard Giralt Miracle's (1911-1994) imaginative lettering. Designed in 2011 by Andreu Balius for Editorial Campgràfic in Valencia as an homage to the brilliant Catalan designer and printer. Worth repeating. Catch an earlier alternative view here. 

The Paper Performance of Elizabeth Lyska

"The Life of the Giantess", a new exhibit rendered entirely of paper by Seattle artist Patty Grazini opens on Saturday at the Curtis Steiner gallery in Ballard. Fascinated by the true story of the 7'2" tall Elizabeth Lyska (1877-1896), Patty chose to document Lyska's brief but illustrious career by rendering it entirely of paper. Her research led her to late 19th century news reports of Elizabeth's appearances on the European stage where she became an instant celebrity for her unusual proportions. After the death of Elizabeth's peasant father when she was eleven, she became the muse of a promoter who arranged tours across Europe in order for her to support her near penniless mother and four siblings at home. Wherever she toured, she became a sensation and was loved not only for her phenomenal height, but for her beauty as well. Although she received the attentions of scientists, suitors, scholars and fans over the years, she died quietly at home away from the limelight at the youthful age of 19.      

Artist Patty Grazini standing next to her paper sculpture of the seven foot tall Elizabeth Lyska all dressed in cossack costume.

Because of the meticulous detail and the narrative themes which she so nicely weaves into her work, Patty Grazini's paper sculptures are a sight to behold. Working on a seven foot tall subject was a stretch however, as she admitted she prefers working quite small. She researches every detail, and she tries her best to accurately portray period costume and dress all of paper. Elizabeth was by far her biggest challenge with all of her seamless yards of paper and large hands and feet. Patty also portrayed her younger sister who was of normal height. The rest of her paper artworks in the show are smaller keepsakes, toys, and personal affects that may have belonged to Elizabeth Lyska, but this is for the viewer to determine.     

Above and below: Elizabeth's ribbons, jewelry and medallions all of paper.

Elizabeth continued to get top billing throughout her brief career. An original playbill from the South London Palace. From the British Library Evanion Collection via The Tallest Man.

Small works belonging to Elizabeth Lyska

Each of the works below range in size of approximately 8 to 15" in height with exception to the bouquet of roses which is nearly 30" tall. With remarkable detail each artwork is created entirely of paper, including a sewing needle and thread, and much of it consists of old paper she has collected. Every artwork in the exhibit is accompanied by a colorful short story and description written by Grazini's son, Tynan Kogane. The photos here are taken by Michael Stearns and myself. 

An automaton belonging to Elizabeth. Inside is a music box which plays Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". 

The Elizabeth perfume, said to be named after her. 

Elizabeth's custom made sewing kit. A gift from a French contortionist. 

Prince Ivan's horse was said to be a favorite toy of Lyska's.

The toy poodle was another gift from a painter. Here Patty assembles the enclosed hoop to demonstrate how the performing poodle is assembled. 

The front of the toy poodle's carrier. 

A gift of an engagement ring and key presented to her by a Viennese suitor who fell madly in love with her. Below is the actual ring.  

A ceremonial "name-day cake" and large fork presented to her by some Russian emigres. Below is a small table, on which sits a number of keepsakes belonging to Elizabeth. The locket with photos are said to be her parents. Truth be known, they are actually photos of Grazini's great great grandparents from the Ukraine.   

Acorn detail of a metal container of smelling salts belonging to Lyska. 

The long-stemmed Lyska Rose, so named after Elizabeth Lyska because it was said "to stand without support". As a side note; Patty received her most prized validation of authenticity when she discovered a very disappointed bee take notice of her new bouquet of roses. Below is the mourning photo of Elizabeth who died in 1896 most likely from heart failure. In every photo ever taken of her, she was always posing with someone else for scale.   

There are exceptions when I stray from the nature of typographic works, books and design here on Letterology and they usually have to do with paper (or presidential elections). In full disclosure, I designed the announcement for Patty Grazini's exhibit featured at the top of this post. After writing about her work in the past, we finally had an opportunity to meet one another months later and have happily become very good friends. Originally we envisioned the announcement to be an actual ticket to one of Elizabeth's stage performances, but the line between reality and fiction was so blurred, we abandoned this idea.
     To read and see more of Patty's imaginative paper sculptures, find my earlier posts here and here. Each of the artworks seen here and many others are available for sale from Curtis Steiner.  

Presidential Jell-o Shots

What's more American than jell-o except Presidential profiles in red and blue jell-o? Artist Henry Hargreaves recently released this infographic of Presidential portraits with red/blue indicators of their political divide. In addition to the red and blue colors of the Republicans and Democrats, the key also indicates that left-facing presidents served one term only (Obama is right-facing mind you), the smaller silver stars indicate they died in office and the jell-o splatters signal their assassination.
     If you are hosting an election night party, consider preparing one of these sort of presidential strawberry or blueberry gelatinous desserts to your guests. For a real crowd-pleaser, just add a little vodka or tequila to the mix and you've got jell-o shots for the entire crowd.
     Hargreaves may also be familiar to you as the character who created the blackletter Bacon Alphabet, and the amazing toasted icons—white bread portraits of the rich and famous. I smell a food theme here. Hmmm...jell-o shots with toasted blackletter crudites?
     Best way to learn more about Henry Hargreaves is to watch this space. A big hat tip to Cool Hunting for an earlier report on his story. Meanwhile, make your vote count today!   

No Information Voters

The Day of the Grand Skeleton Ball

The Dancing Skeletons Tunnel Book or Gran Baile de Calaveras un Libro Túnel is a wonderful trade edition of José Posada's lively skeletons which have come to symbolize the modern Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos holiday celebrations beginning each November 1st. Published by Tunnel Vision Books, it is based upon a popular Victorian era paper theater book structure that engages the viewer by creating a peepshow effect. Each "page" with different characters and scenery is typically attached to an accordion wall on each side, allowing the structure to expand or contract. When viewed through the front window or hole of the book structure, a layered stage set with depth is created and a story can be told simply with images.  
     The Dancing Skeletons of José Posada (1851-1913) make me happy. Partly because the traditional Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead falls on my birthday—but also because I'm pleased to share this festive holiday honoring the lives of the people we have most loved and lost, as it is such a worthy and noble celebration. This holiday tradition commonly celebrated throughout Mexico and Latin America can be traced to pagan rituals. Today it is celebrated in many cultures around the world as a day of reunion for the living and the dead, when spirits are welcomed back with offerings of food, drink, music and flowers. It ends on the following day when the spirits depart after joining in a family meal.
     Posada, who was a very prolific artist and printer in Mexico, was best known for these skeletons and skulls (known as calaveras) although they were just a small segment of his range of work. His comical characters were often dressed in colorful costume and parodied the lives of the living; often taking on the leading political and social issues of the day. Since his death, his sentimental calaveras have become the single most recognizable symbol commemorating Mexico's Day of the Dead. His iconic "La Calavera Catrina", mostly identified with the holiday, was intended to mock the rich in their expensive clothes, but reminding all they would soon turn to dust just like the rest of the huddled masses. 

Posada's talents were many; he was a job printer, engraver, illustrator and a graphic designer, and left a body of work numbering at least 1600 printed images. Deborah Wye, who wrote in her book, Artists and Prints: Masterworks from The Museum of Modern Art, claims that some followers believe "he made as many as 20,000 prints during the course of his career".
     Tunnel books have a very long and distinguished history. Early and less sophisticated versions with interchangeable fitting panels often required a lot of assembly. Book artist Ed Hutchins, does a great job documenting more of their history at his site Artist Books, but in short, the basic concertina structure that followed has actually been modified little over the last 200 years. Many of the earliest tunnel books were designed as childrens' toys or to commemorate historically significant events and places. Contemporary trade editions of tunnel books are relatively rare, but can be considered collectible. In 1984, Magic Windows had published some 10 panel books which were illustrated by prominent artists such as Edward Gorey. These each included text and had a magnifying lens in the window.
     Tunnel Vision Books 2006 trade edition of The Dancing Skeletons is still in print. Take a peek here for an interactive view of the booklet which accompanies the tunnel book.