the accordion in its packaging
This is the second of Hänni's accordion books that I have featured on this blog and its another interesting one from this Swiss artist and typographer who's using a totally abstract palette to express his "desire to reach the 'infinite' beyond the limitations of words...". It's a curious coincidence that another Swiss illustrator and designer Warja Lavatar (1913-2007), also used a totally abstract system in her groundbreaking use of the accordion format throughout her artistic career. I consider Lavatar as one of the earliest pioneering artists to have adopted the accordion format as an integral part of her artistic practice, publishing her first accordion book in 1962. Follow this link to see another publication of Hänni's on this blog:
Here's a statement from Hänni's website about this work and he addresses what he's trying to do with his purely visual works:
Although language can be explanatory, only signs and symbols evoke notions. They are capable of simultaneously incorporating all levels of human existence. Reaching down to the unfathomable depths of the soul grow their roots. Like a gentle breeze, language only touches the surface of understanding. Words make the infinite finite, signs and symbols carry off the spirit into the realms of the infinite world of being. They evoke notions, are signs of the unspeakable and are equally inexhaustible.
Without signs or symbols, even the most modern of world views becomes impoverished. The division of soul and spirit has much to do with Gutenberg's invention. For the sake of the modern, supposedly unnecessary yet reliable and irreplaceable things are often sacrificed. Access to signs and symbols could lead to peace of mind in which all unconscious is not anxiously blocked out and avoided but embraced as a way of expanding consciousness. In this manner, the spirit could find a way out of self-isolation in which it is held captive by its unconditional worship of science and technology. [Romano Hänni, Studio for Design]
10 single-sided pages, individually 4.75" x 3", and when fully unfolded 2' 6".
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