Print Curiosties: No.4 is selected and written by Specialist Printmaking Technician, Kath Van Uytrecht
There should always be one work of art in your collection that simply invokes a feeling of joy. Pop-up book ‘Airborne’ by Chisato Tamabayashi, instantly puts a smile on my face. The book consists of six full page pop-ups, illustrating the journey of a hot air balloon. The simple narrative, bright colours, pop-up surprises and interactive sliding tabs, remind me of some of my favourite childhood picture books.
Chisato is a paper and book artist that studied Graphic Design at London College of Printing. She also holds an MA in Communication Art and Design at the Royal College of Art.
Like children’s picture books, Chisato’s artworks do not contain text. In an interview in Voice (2015) she explains: ‘I believe that visual language is universal, so hopefully the narrative I’m suggesting in my work can communicate through the imagery alone or take people along on their own imaginative journeys.’
Front Cover of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book First Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book Second Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book Third Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book Fourth Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book High view of the Fourth Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book Fifth Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book Side View of the Fifth Page of ‘Airborne’, Chisato Tamabayashi. Artist’s book
Chisato illustrates and prints every part of her books. ‘Airborne’ provides the sense of awe and satisfaction that comes from something well designed and constructed. For ‘Airborne’, Chisato screen prints all the pages and separate parts for each pop-up piece. She then carefully cuts out each element. Once this process is completed, she constructs the pages together and hand binds them into a book. Painstaking care and patience is needed in every step of the process. It is this care that translates into a delightful tactile experience by the reader.
It is important to Chisato that the reader experiences this tactility. ‘I think tactility is very important and maybe that’s why I choose a book format. To enjoy an artist book, you have to touch the book, go through it at your own pace, feel the paper, listen to the noises (sometimes my pop-up pieces make noise!) and enjoy the images.’
Read the full interview with Chisato in Voice, an online art and illustration magazine.
Follow Chisato on Instagram to see her latest work, or view her portfolio on her website.