Item Details
Religio Mathmatica [Artist Book].
Wide Awake Garage, 1990–2007. Unique. The closed book rises above the yew-wood enclosure.
Quoting Mark Dimunation, retired Chief of Rare Books, Library of Congress:
"The power of Kelm's symbolic universe is most poetically yielded by a pure book structure. Free of encumbering text, Religio Mathematica (1990-2007) is a structure built with hinged triangular shapes. Using the four alchemical colors as its only source of language, the structure uses the revelation of the colors to create the text within the confines of the folded shape. The book begins folded into a cube; only red is exposed--fire. It unfolds into linked pyramids of white and black, water and earth. Further sequences unfold an alchemical story that is exclusive to Kelm's world and vision. When Kelm manipulates the book, it seems to snake from one shape to the next. To hear him recite the incantation of the book is magical. The unfolding of the cube marks the birth of the universe; the ultimate closing of the lotus signals its death.
With this pure, abstract piece Kelm has achieved his Book. Text and binding are fully integrated, the reader and the book wholly interdependent. His craft and his vision now merge to create a single experience-reader and book, observer and the observed. The success of the piece comes from Kelm's own sincerity and modesty. In his effort to embrace and impart his own hard-won view of the world, he has stepped aside to let his books speak for themselves: "When you let go of perfection, you allow the book to be what it is." [exhibition catalogue]. Fine in Fine Natural Wood Base. Bright and unmarred. Complex hinged structure, printed paper faces; yew enclosure. Item #11319
Price: $15,000.00