Friday, May 17, 2019

Sacred scrolls of compassion

©2019 Barry Smith - Compassion
Finally I got to assemble my scroll artists' books. The letterpress ink took quite a while to dry because the paper was non-porous; and we have had so much moisture from the extended period of rain.

First step with the vertical scroll was to get the vertical case solidly screwed to the base. The scroll was attached to the brass rod-shaft with double sided tape. The scroll was inserted through the top opening; and once the scroll itself was pulled through the slit-opening I was able to add the top plug which I had drilled a hole through; and then assemble the winder over and on to the brass rod-shaft.

The tension on the paper at top near the upright post is less than that at the bottom hence the slight crinkle in the unrolled scroll.

©2019 Barry Smith - Unfurled scroll held by upright post
The piece looks quite sculptural when the scroll is wound back into the case.

©2019 Barry Smith - Scroll young back into vertical case using the brass wing nut
The second sacred scroll is horizontal. Attaching this scroll to the shaft was easier given it could work through the hinged cover.

©2019 Barry Smith - Horizontal scroll - attached to brass rod-shaft which was part of the original brass firefighting pump.
The scroll is wound back into the scroll case using the side handle - this needs to be unlocked and pulled out to enable one to turn the shaft.

©2019 Barry Smith - Winding the scroll back into the case.
©2019 Barry Smith - One more wind and the scroll would disappear inside the case which is held on a brass and timber cradle
Whist there is a bit more tweaking and cleaning to be done these two Sacred Scrolls of Compassion are all but ready for the Compassion Artists' Book Exhibition.

3 comments:

  1. stunning work so beautifully wrought!

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  2. These scrolls are a sort of culmination of the work I have been watching you make here. They combine different facets of human endeavor in a way that provokes me to think differently about them all....industrial, mechanical, manufactured cases so beautifully house scrolls, those ancient repositories of language and written knowledge. There are so many layers here that I am having trouble untangling them.
    Thank you for making them.

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  3. once again your thoughtful work showcases the aesthetic care that went into functional metal bits in the past ... likewise, the repurposing of pianola rolls that are virtually impossible to use in their intended form

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.