A book on the theme of spices as a wedding gift.

AUSPICE

Def: a divine sign, a prophetic prediction or a specific, favourable foreshadowing.

COVER

Kolam ~ Clove

PAGES

Tree of Life ~ Cardamom (Queen of Spices)

Mandala ~ Star Anise

Trinity Knot ~ Bay Leaf

Yin & Yang ~ Black & White Pepper (King of Spices)

Sacred Fire ~ Mace

Meander or Key Pattern ~ Cinnamon

Enso Circle ~ Saffron

MARKING & BINDING

Turmeric

A coffee table book on an art studio in Mumbai in the 1950s - 1970s that focussed on glass and ceramic art. The 148 page book tells the story of the Vitrum Studio and features all the objects (tiles, mosaic, plates) in the collection of Mr Haresh Mehta.

An exhibition coinciding with the book was held during June 13 - Aug 31 at the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation.
https://jnaf.org/exhibition/a-glazed-history-badri-narayan-and-the-vitrum-studio/

The studio was called Vitrum, which means glass in latin, hence the part of the cover that says Vitrum is made of glass that is digitally printed with the design. It is not easily discernable, except when it catches the light and of course to touch.

Penultimate image: With Mr Haresh Mehta at the exhibition launch.

Last image: Wearing a pendant made from the waste pieces of the glass.

This artists’ book is a steel-bodied representation of a majestic eagle, seated with its wings folded back to form a triangle. Its impressive wingspan is meticulously constructed with diagonal slits. Each slit depicts a feather of an eagle or a page on a book or a year in the extraordinary life of Hafele. All 100, culminate into “the first 100 years” of Hafele.

The right wing represents the first 40 years and the left wing, the next 40; and the front body, dedicated to Hafele India, features its Ä logo with ten slits on either side depicting the 20 years (2003 - 2023) in this region.

Made of steel, the eagle core signifies strength and adaptability. The sleek aerodynamic lines in the steel framework signify speed and the ability to fly high, rising above the ordinary and above dark clouds; quite akin to the journey Hafele has had over the last 10 decades. The triangular eagle body finds inspiration from the Ä logo and is constructed by interlocking parts suggesting collective power, oneness, growth and the drive to succeed.

Steel Eagle was commissioned by Hafele India Pvt Ltd to celebrate their 20 years in India, coinciding with 100 years of Hafele in Germany.

The L Book was specially made (not a commission) for the Festival of Libraries event organized by The Ministry of Culture, Government of India at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on August 5 & 6, 2023.

~

The L book is a culmination of many thoughts, many emotions that have inspired 30 years of Pixie Bks.

L could stand for 30 years into zillion moments of Love, Light & Laughter.

L could stand for a Lifeline, in the lonely life of a bookmaker.

L could stand for Ludicrous, the reaction got in formative years. And thankfully, even now.

L could stand for a besotted Lifetime, devoted solely to Artists' Books.

L could never stand for Lucrative as L for Love outweighed it.

~

L stands for the destinations that house every Artists' Book made by Pixie Bks.

L stands for Library.

Library run by Countries, States, Museums, Universities, Institutions, Individuals...

And we are in deep gratitude and awe of all the Libraries who have put forth their faith and given us their warm, hallowed roof.

The concept for this Artists’ Book comes from the story of Ashish Ghiya – with a particular focus on his back surgeries and subsequent Ironman.

The pages are of two colours – the white of the spine and the pink of the flamingo neck. Both are vertical, long and curved. While the backbone symbolizes strength of character and courage, the flamingo symbolizes grace and beauty. Ultimately, a balance of both is what pulls you through a higher quality of existence.

The spine also stands for the pain undergone due to accidents, surgeries, recovery and training. While the flamingo stands for the result and rewards of all the effort and endurance and is the symbol of the Ironman 70.3 Italy Emilia-Romagna.

Inside the book are the music notes of 'Orion' by Metallica. It was a comeback song for the band and that is what inspired him to take his abrupt halt in life head-on for his own comeback.

The vertical book is placed in its wooden frame with the white pages on the left and pink on the right. When the book is removed one can read a poem explaining the concept of the book, inside the frame.

The frame is made of ‘sleeper’ wood from the train tracks. By virtue of its former ‘job’ the wood has been thoroughly weathered and toughened – quite like the subject of this Artists’ book, Ashish Ghiya.

Artists’ Book commissioned by Häfele India as a farewell gift for their beloved Managing Director who was retiring after 20 years. The names of all 941 employees across South Asia appear on the front and back of the garland.

An accompanying booklet carries messages for him from the employees.

Garland (noun)

A circular or spiral arrangement of intertwined material worn around the neck.

• In adoration of deities and men

• A token of public honour for distinguished service

• An act of humbling oneself before a guest or exalted soul

• An act of respect, offering reverence to another

• Circular form symbolizing God’s unending love, resurrection and rebirth

Every description for the word Garland provided by assorted dictionaries holds true when its recipient is Jurgen Wolf, MD Häfele South Asia.

The names of 941 colleagues who have had the privilege of working with Mr. Wolf appear on the garland. They have nothing but profound gratitude and admiration to offer him.

Finding Gattu is the real life story of Pannalal Patel. Gattu was born in a poor farming family in Gujarat. His life story is a patchwork of tough situations from losing his parents in childhood to having to leave school, from facing financial hardships to doing physically laborious work, to contracting tuberculosis and eventually turning deaf. Through it all, he tried to remain open to new influences and experiences, and took the problems that life threw at him, time and again, on his chin.

A particularly poignant part of his story is when after all his efforts to rise above debt and poverty he still ends up as a lowly servant and his master says, “Gattu, here is the broom to sweep the room with…”

Six years later he reaches his lowest point when he contemplates suicide.

“God takes care of the one who has nobody on his side.”

Here comes a turning point in his life. An old classmate and now acclaimed writer encourages Gattu to try his hand at writing. And who could foresee that at the age of 63, Gattu, now Pannalal would win the Jnanpith Award - the oldest and highest literary award for ‘outstanding contribution towards Indian literature.’

The book cover artistically portrays the journey of simple Gattu who transforms into the legendary Pannalal Patel.

Written by Pannalal’s granddaughter Natasha Patel Nema, the book was launched by Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel (Hon’ble Chief Minister, Gujarat) on February 12, 2023.

Judge a book by its cover - The transparent book cover portrays the open and transparent foundation on which Marico resides.

While the title, Harsh Realities, is a delightful wordplay on the makings of the company and its maker, the dual-effect lettering on the cover aptly compliments the dual-sense of the title.

Harsh Realities is business book by Harsh Mariwala, an innovative and clear-headed leader who built Marico Ltd – a highly professional, competitive business from the ground up. This is a story of grit, gumption, growth and the core values of trust, transparency and innovation which have brought the company to its current stature.

Project by Penguin India, cover by Pixie Bks.

“I have received phenomenal feedback about the book cover. The design is innovative, elegant & chic. The cover portrays the values I truly believe in and also gives you a glimpse of what to expect from the read. ‘Harsh Realities’ would have been incomplete without the cover designed by Priya.” – Harsh Mariwala, Chairman Marico Ltd.

Behind all that steel… There's a heart of gold

Artists' book for steel magnate Sajjan Jindal for his 60th birthday.

Designed on a simple palindrome, this book can be read from either side.

When you read the line: Behind all that steel… a stark number 60, strung together with 60 spherical steel orbs catches your eye.

When you turn the book and read: There’s a heart of gold… the figure 60 turns into a stark heart-shaped image.

The core of the book are the 60 spherical steel orbs that bind the book. Not only do they bind the book but also interpret the design and concept of the book: steel and heart.

The major share of the book is bound by the steel orbs while a small portion is kept open for the photographs of the family.

To work on positioning of the steel balls, I had to use a bed of sand, as shown in the last image.

St. Mary’s School ICSE Sesquicentennial Edition - 304 page Coffee-Table book

The St. Mary’s 150 Yearbook chronicles history, architecture, sports, staff, Jesuits and interesting trivia across the sesquicentennial journey. Stories told by principals, teachers, priests and the little sonny’s of St. Mary’s, now in the global list of who’s who.

How the pages unfold -

A Marian, let’s say Mario M, dressed to the hilt in his immaculate white uniform, leaves home for school. The same Mario M returns home in the evening, not quite looking like Mario M. His immaculate whites are brown. Pentagonal ball marks on shirt; hints of red brick building on trousers; a slew of colours from art class; ink-blots; mud packs; kheema drops. Each hue tells a tale of an eventful day gone by. Of new adventures, new learning, tacit heroics, staunch camaraderie and this indefinable joie de vivre that Mario M will carry with pride for life.

This in a nutshell is the soul of the book. Every page gradually changes colour, from white to off-white to brown-white, to visually bring you ‘A day in the life of Immaculate White.’

One writer could not have brought this concept to life across the 150-year journey. So it took 105.

The Sesq Yearbook is a cacophony of many minds, many opinions. Quite like the lunch-break situation where the school came alive with exchanges across ages, masses and ethnicities.

A flyer was made to introduce the book and pre-sell it - penultimate image.

An inviting black box opens up to a complex whorl of red pillars. Curiosity takes you deeper into the book, as you find that each of the eight wooden blocks of varying heights are graphical depictions of the eight arms of Häfele. The pillars collectively clasp the booklet while each page explains each vertical.

Commissioned by Häfele India, the book was launched on April 12, 2013 by Shreeji Arvind Singh Mewar.

Size: 7.23" X 5.5" X 3.5"

Pages of booklet: 32

Materials: Paper, board, soft wood, rubberbands

Edition size: 500

Editions: 1

Date: 2013

Production: Offset printing, screen-printing, hand assembly

‘The Seven Stories of Mewar’, each a jewel, encapsulates episodes of significance that occurred during the illustrious history of Mewar over the last 1500 years. While this unconventional necklace book does not attempt to string together copious historical events, there are twists in the tale with fictitious characters thrown in, purely to entertain.

1) Bappa Rawal - Tales on the temple steps

2) Rana Kumbha - A giant amongst men

3) Pannadhai - The sacrifice

4) Padmini - A legacy of honour

5) Maharana Sajjan Singh - A letter

6) 1884 - A cause for celebration

7) Rana Raj Singh - A period of tyranny

This set of seven books was commissioned by Shreeji Arvind Singh Mewar - the 76th Custodian of the Mewar Dynasty for the HRH Group of Hotels in 2006.

Black & white image - Maharana Sajjan Singh

Colour image - Shreeji Arvind Singh Mewar

Radnelac is calendar spelt backwards.

This is a Radical Almanac that works on the premise of 31 days rather than the traditional 12 months. To search for say, 18th January or 18th November, go to page 18. 31st March or 31st December are on page 31.

The art is based on Art Nouveau (1890 - 1914), a decorative style using sinuous, linear patterns and stylized natural forms, such as leaves or tendrils. Each page features the same number of flowers as the number.

Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL) used it as a corporate gift in their first year.

© 1996 by Priya Pereira ~ Radnelac is a registered Trademark of Priya Pereira