ON LOVE: Collected Works and Poems
An elegant, illustrated book of poetry, excerpts, and musings on the noblest human emotion: love. From Viktor Frankl's insight that "love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire" to Rilke's humble desire "with only this one dream: you come too," this exquisite collection speaks to all of us at a time when loving one another seems more important than ever.
It would be easy to write off Rilke’s Love Song” as a sappy nod to fate. But here he cleverly portrays love as a powerful force that draws two people together, whether they desire it or not. Love is inevitable. The question is: Who (or what) is that unseen hand? In our illustration, two complex shapes made from the thinnest of repeating lines are made to vibrate in harmony.
The entire quote from Les Miserables is, "To love or have loved, that is enough. Demand nothing more. There is no other pearl to be found in the shadowy folds of life. To love is a fulfillment." In our illustration, raindrops fall on still water, sending gentle ripples outward. Most of them remain isolated as they fade into the surface, but lucky ones manage to connect.
Printed on beautiful matte paper, this petite gift book is perfect for poetry and art lovers alike.
- Paperback: 88 pages
- Publisher: Obvious State (Feb 15, 2020)
- Language: English
- ISBN-13: 978-1-63330-015-6
- Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 0.2 x 6 inches
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATED CLASSICS
The Illustrated Classics is a series of stylishly designed pocket editions of iconic literary works. Each book is illustrated by Evan Robertson, the Cofounder and artist behind Obvious State. Thematic art, elegant typography, and exquisite language from some of our greatest minds combine for a unique, immersive reading experience that illuminates the wisdom and aesthetic beauty of beloved, enduring works. Our hope is to create beautiful, portable art objects to collect and share, and to inspire moments of quiet reflection in a hyper-connected world.
ARTIST STATEMENT
"How can artwork live on the page with poetic text in a way that enhances it without upstaging it or undermining its ability to communicate? That was my main priority, and it informed everything about the visual approach. The stark palette, the repetition of visual elements, and the balance of art and text all serve to drive the narrative forward. While there’s no “correct” way to visualize these works, I’ve chosen to focus on the broader themes rather than the literal narration of action. I wanted to create a seamless marriage of provocative visuals and punctuated language, both exploring the same idea in slightly different ways. The result, I hope, creates a uniquely illuminating and immersive experience for the reader, where the wisdom that the author and artist explore together are brought into sharper focus." - Evan Robertson
ABOUT THE FONT & TYPOGRAPHY
For this project we selected Ogg—a luscious calligraphic serif typeface designed by Lucas Sharp. The design was inspired by the iconic hand lettering of twentieth century book designer and calligrapher Oscar Ogg. It captures the unique mix of calligraphic and typographic forms he achieved through his use of hand carved pen nibs. While Ogg is high contrast and dramatic, it remains refined and warm, which we think pairs perfectly with the art.
ABOUT THE FORMAT
When considering the format of our collection one thing was important to us: The experience. We envision readers of the books treating them as a 20-minute break in the middle of the day, something to enjoy over coffee, a non-digital start to the morning, or a respite from an exhausting news cycle.
In short: A provocative, portable art object packed with wisdom and beauty.
THE SPECS
All of our books are printed in Van Nuys, California on FSC-certified, sustainable paper made with 10% recycled content. We use soy and vegetable-based inks and uncoated paper for a beautiful, elegant finish.
- Softcover printed on lush, uncoated paper
- Premium, uncoated interior paper that takes ink beautifully and showcases the high-contrast, rich blacks
- Full color interior pages
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 6 inches
- Page count: 88