PILLOW BOOKS & POLAROIDS
EVERY TWO MONTHS
Pillow Book
Classic of Japanese literature, written by Sei Shonagon, lady of the Japanese imperial court, published in 1002. Sei Shonagon's book is not only a collection of essays and poetry, but is also a fascinating account of life in the Japanese imperial court. Pillow Book is considered a classic of world literature. It is published in English by Penguin Classics.
The common writing
The question that arises in a project of this nature lies in the fact that the guests practice different “languages”, with their own “vocabularies” and, normally, without connections between them. Thus, the “language” of a plastic artist is not the same as that of a musician or a businessman, nor is the “language” of an architect the same as that of a film director or a singer. However, for the project to have coherence in the “language”, it is necessary to find a “common language” that can be easily used by each guest.
Polaroid is the answer to the "common language"
The synthesis of this “common language” is masterfully defined by Walker Evans:
“... It makes things awfully easy, that things pop up. It reduces everything to your brain and taste...”
Pillow Books & Polaroids
The final project results from the combination of these two elements, Dei Shonagon's book and Polaroid.
Each guest is challenged to let us see what their Pillow Books are and through them we get to know a little more about each of them.
LUISA COSTA GOMES
1st April to 31st May
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