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Takahashi, Mina : Home

Artists' Books

Mina Takahashi

Rose Folsom, Mina Takahashi
Art Library Rare Books Collection TS 1124.5 .C29 2007 shelf

"Remarkably, given the size of this edition, many of the pieces are hand lettered. There is elegant pen work and brush calligraphy, but also unusual methods of inscribing such as writing with pulp. Lettering methods are sometimes enhanced with techniques such as letterpress, dye resist, photo intaglio, debossing, and suminagashi. Paper rises from its traditional supporting role to offer equal partnership in the realization of the image. For some images, the paper speaks quietly carrying fibers that have cultural, historical, or geographical connections with the written mark. In other works, the paper calls more attention to itself with curious inclusions, bold colors, or a highly burnished surface. Whatever the method, the finished pieces demonstrate the shared importance of calligraphic image and well-made paper. The calligraphic content ranges from haiku to short phrases to single letters. Some characters are typographically playful, some harshly rendered, some immediately legible, while others require sleuthing by the viewer. Themes range from epic to intimate, from disquieting to uplifting. The expressions are as personal as a proper name, as ponderous as the nature of truth, or as global as social commentary on war and peace." — Hand Papermaking's website (retrieved April 24, 2015).