Dorte Bistrup: Five Layers of Tissue and a Man Named Alexander

My latest book creation is entitled “Book of Subscribers.”  The subscribers were people from the early 19th century (1807 if I remember correctly) who paid (subscribed) to have a hefty book about the English Reformation published.   The antique book itself was part of a mixed media/art book piece that sold four years ago. 

The few pages that I kept had what I love about very old printed pages…the discoloration of aging known as foxing, ink stains and the occasional fabulous handwriting in brown ink, in this case the name “Alexander.”   

Before collaging the names, I glued layer upon layer of colorful, image-printed tissue paper on each page.  I could do this for hours, and I did!  Each page is smooth as satin, except for where small pieces of rusted metal, frayed fabric and vintage stencils are placed. 

This book is meant to be held and each page explored by touch.

In a way, the names on these pages made two books possible…one in 1807 and one in 2026.