Auspicium

Auspicium is a research piece based on the poems of the Ukrainian poet, Oleksandr Bryhynets. It features 50 of their short, post-modern poems.

The experimental work consists of balancing and composing in poetic form according to the miniature format of the book (40x70 mm) without the use of digital technology, creating the space for new and engrossing formal techniques.

The work was composed using letterpress, printing and binding. All graphics, without exception, are made and printed by hands on a letterpress machine dating back to the USSR.

All illustrations were created throughout the use of linocut, with each block consisting of 30 linocuts. Each illustration functions as a satellite to a poem, distorting reflections of its words. The poems, in this diminutive format, contain human thoughts about fate, love, choice, human relationships and the universe.

To avoid overloading the illustrations with redundant noise and information, the poems are kept concise and the pictures simple. The person depicted could be any of us; its synthesis, stylised and sexless image contains in itself multiple characteristics, which are reflected alongside the verses.

Central to the book is the idea of augury, which finds it way into the title. The book's minute size is styled in such a way as to create a level of intimacy with the reader, as they are invited to open any verse and will, in the author’s words, ‘eventually commit a divination, in some sense’.

Edition of 17, signed and numbered.