Tags
bookbinding, Design binding, Βιβλιοδεσία, Νίκος Καζαντζάκης, Ο τελευταίος πειρασμός, δερματόδετο, καλλιτεχνική βιβλιοδεσία, leather binding
These past months, from August till now, have been a total and relentless strain on so many levels, so I couldn’t help but chuckle when I was asked to bind a book with the crucifixion of Christ as the main theme.
Ο τελευταίος πειρασμός του Νίκου Καζαντζάκη, δερματόδετη βιβλιοδεσία τύπου περαστό. Δέρμα βαμμένο στο χέρι και χειροποίητα κεφαλάρια ραμμένα με μεταξωτή κλωστή. Γράμματα χρυσωμένα με φύλλο 22 καρατίων.
The last temptation by Nikos Kazantzakis (best known for his novel “Zorba the GreeK”) was considered so radical that it was included in Vatican’s Index of Prohibited books and lead to his condemnation by the Greek church.
The story in a nutshell is that when Christ is on the cross he is visited by a spirit who says that God is pleased and wants him to be happy. Jesus is left to live a normal life blissful as any ordinary person. Or so he thinks, since it was all just a vision, a lie, the last temptation made by the devil. The book gives emphasis to the human side of Christ portraying him as a passionate person who is in doubt and struggling to understand.
The book was also filmed by Martin Scorsese with Willem Dafoe in the main role.
As is more often than not the case lately the initial concept was quite different. I was thinking of a complex scene including a lot of onlay work showing the 3 phases of the story in a glance by implying a full circle. However Kazantzakis is praised for his frugal writing so I opted for something simpler and more symbolic. Having this in mind and the fact that the client was fond of my binding for Eliot I made the specific design. I feel it reflects the story strongly while following the spirit of Kazantzakis’ writing style.
The endleaves are JHS machine assisted paper from Hewitt. I made some shiny headbands from silk thread and used 22karat gold in tooling the author’s name and title. I used an airbrush to color the leather and I must say, I feel it’s growing on me!
I used my Stylus tool set, Versatile typeholder and BFM tool to make this binding.
Till next time!
Astonishing piece of work, Dimitris. I totally love the design, its simplicity makes it even more fascinating to the eye. Well done!
Thank you Teo!
I dared to enter facebook yesterday or the day before and saw your last journal, the one with extensive blind tooling. Such a beauty!
I cleaned the tool you sent me by the way, you wouldn’t recognize it!
Thank you, I’m glad you like it because it was made almost entirely using your Stylus!
I can’t believe you finally gave in to facebook and got an account. How do I find you?
“it was made almost entirely using your Stylus”
Well… wow! That was an unexpected answer! I must admit I was a bit moved, you really made my day.
As for Facebook I do have an account but I use it very rarely and strictly just for the notices of a group I’m a member of. Plus your facebook files are open to public view!
This is exquisite work! You must be very proud of it!
Thank you Louise!
What I’m really proud of is that the whole binding process rolled smoothly. Everything from the smallest detail to whole stages of the binding went as they should. It’s as if the binding was happy with how each step turned out and was eager for the next. Wish this happened every time!
I visited your etsy (have only seen your blog until now) and apart from the bound journals I enjoyed your photographic studies, especially “somewhere in the sea” and “while you where sleeping”.
I think your decision in choosing a simple, abstract depiction of the theme, in order to be faithful to Kazantzakis’ work, was the right one. With just a few visual elements you illustrate the core of the work.The cross of the “King of the Jews” drops its shadow and that shadow is one of a man crucified.
Thank you Penelope,
I know how much attention you give in every aspect of art creations so your comment is of great value.
It’s funny isn’t it? It’s often easy to picture an elaborate design in your mind but it’s much more difficult to create something that is simple and full of meaning at the same time. The art of removing until you are left with the very essence.
I think Chekhov once said “It is easier to describe Socrates than a young woman or a cook”.
Thank you once more for the wonderful calendar!
Oh you with your wonderful designs -.- .
As soon as I saw the thumbnail in my reader I though “It would be great if this were in the same library as Wasteland” (I still can’t get over how beautiful that one is!). I adore the colour gradation on both.
Tomorrow’s your day in the house of Zeka, just so you know
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“It would be great if this were in the same library as Wasteland”
Hear that Mr K.? Ana/Zeka is proposing something interesting here!
Just joking!
Indeed it would be quite a thing but this is intended as a gift while the other is still patiently waiting for a home.
Tomorrow’s my day??? Oh my, that sounds exquisitely important!
I’ll be anxious to finish work early at the bindery and see what you’re talking about!
Dimitri!! Sorry I’m a bit behind in commenting… I saw this when you first posted it, but you know how it goes… AWESOME job! Of course you know that I’d love it, it’s orange!
Hope you’re doing well and staying busy. I need to get in gear and post some more tutorials…it’s hard though, when I’ve already been on the computer all day long. Tell me that I’m a slacker and to get back to it! 
There’s Becca!
Glad you liked it! I recall your thing about orange and I can’t blame you; it goes so well with a great many colors. And yup, everything’s swell in the workshop!
I’ve been seeing the letters you post and I must say everytime I got mail about a new post I couldn’t help but feel a hint envious… I know you’re not abroad partying but I could use some real vacation. I think the last time I had some was 3 years ago. :/
How’s Koln by the way? Hope you’re having a good time!
Oh, I almost forgot; You’re a slacker Becca, a slacker! Now get back to it!
Hahaha! Thanks, Dimitri. This makes me laugh every time I read it.
I’m actually back in the States for a couple of months, so I’m not anywhere exciting at the moment. But I’ll be back in England in February! Counting down the days!
I’m trying not to be intimidated by your beautiful leather work.
Well, I have already been intimidated by your work, and mostly by your marvelous boxes.
Especially the revolving cylindrical one, clever design+pretty= great success!