Small entertainments

As longtime readers of this journal know, I work for MSN Tech & Gadgets. One of the perks of working as an editor over the years is that occasionally I receive swag as a collateral benefit. Well, I'm working on a project that requires I work with CafePress. Although all I needed from them were a set of high-res product images, the PR person was extremely aggressive about wanting to send me product samples. On her third offer, I finally said, "Sure, send me stuff." She asked me for specific requests, which I made, and then, as it turned out, she sent me some other stuff as well. Today, I received a package containing two messenger bags, a notebook and ... a doggy t-shirt that says "I ♥ internet shopping".

This strikes me, for some reason, to be absolutely hilarious.

Maybe I need to get out a little more.

Illuminating!

Spent tonight with shellyinseattle. She's very involved with the calligraphy community in Seattle (there's a community for everything!). Tonight a group of her acquaintances got together to watch a DVD about the ongoing creation of a 21st century illuminated bible—hand calligraphed and illuminated—sponsored by St. John's Abbey and University outside of Minneapolis. She invited me to join them, and I'm so glad I did.

The DVD discussed the prime artist and calligrapher behind the project, talked about how the project was being funded and, most important and interesting to me, the actual process of creation. The whole book is being lettered by hand with goose-feather quills on vellum with handmade inks, handground pigments and gold and silver leaf. Though it's being created by monks, the book is filled with Hebrew and Jewish symbolism. And though the techniques are traditional, much of the creation and production are quite modern. The layout of each page is being planned using a computer. The art is quite beautiful, incorporating modern imagery and references (the family tree of Jesus is in the shape of a menorah picked out with Hebrew and DNA strands as a motif; the World Trade Center is referenced in another image; throughout the bible, flora and fauna native to Minnesota adorn the pages in technically accurate detail). It's stunning, and will ultimately be a literally priceless piece of art. Breathtaking stuff.

You can learn more about the project at its Web site. The coolest feature of the site offers users the ability to page through the books already completed. The flash tool to do this was created specifically so you could look at each page with the intention of purchasing a print of same. You can zoom in on each page and illustration. Wonderful stuff.

The coolest news of all is that pages from The Saint John's Bible are coming to the Tacoma Art Museum this summer. I very much want to see the exhibit. You just can't appreciate the true brilliance of a work of art via a reproduction (and compete reproductions of the Saint John's Bible are available--the parts that are completed anyway); you have to see the originals. Can't wait to see these.

ETA: shellyinseattle's post on the subject includes exhibit dates and information about related demonstrations.