LEGENDOS APIE LIETUVOS PILIAKALNIUS /
Calligraphic artist's book “Legends About Lithuanian Hillforts“
Calligraphic artist's book “Legends About Lithuanian Hillforts“
The artist‘s book was made as a final bachelor graduation project while studying at Vilnius Academy of Arts Kaunas Faculty in 2017.
2017th were declared as a Year of Hillforts in Lithuania, therefore I chose to make my final bachelor project on this topic. I decided
to represent Lithuanian hillforts through a prism of Lithuanian folklore (instead of looking at their historical-scientific side). A thorough
selection of legends, explaining the origin of Lithuanian hillforts and the origin of their names led to decision of dedicating the artist‘s
book to illustrating those specific legends by conveying their stories, details and emotions through calligraphic compositions.
to represent Lithuanian hillforts through a prism of Lithuanian folklore (instead of looking at their historical-scientific side). A thorough
selection of legends, explaining the origin of Lithuanian hillforts and the origin of their names led to decision of dedicating the artist‘s
book to illustrating those specific legends by conveying their stories, details and emotions through calligraphic compositions.
852
The cover of artist’s book has coordinates of 852 hillforts printed out – these are all the hillforts that have been registered in Lithuania
until 2017. I decided to use the coordinates not only to encrypt the topic of Lithuanian hillforts, but also to create a seemingly chaotic texture to go along with expressive calligraphic illustrations. Moreover, the book cover works as a creative map – the reader can pick random coordinates, type them in their navigation system, and go on an adventure trip to find the hillfort of Lithuania.
until 2017. I decided to use the coordinates not only to encrypt the topic of Lithuanian hillforts, but also to create a seemingly chaotic texture to go along with expressive calligraphic illustrations. Moreover, the book cover works as a creative map – the reader can pick random coordinates, type them in their navigation system, and go on an adventure trip to find the hillfort of Lithuania.
The title of artist's book “LEGENDOS APIE LIETUVOS PILIAKALNIUS” typed repeatedly to create a block of texture.
13
13 legends were selected while creating the artist’s book. They explain the origins of Lithuanian hillforts or the origins
of their names. Each chosen legend is very different from one another, conveying unique stories and diverse emotions.
of their names. Each chosen legend is very different from one another, conveying unique stories and diverse emotions.
Each legend starts with a separate section, which has coordinates of the represented hillfort.
MIRGRAUSELES hillfort. The legend for this hillfort is very sensitive, emotional and full of sorrow. It tells a heartbreaking story about a beloved young man dying in a war while fighting for his girl named Mirgrausele (The name of hillfort derived from girl's name in a legend). I chose to depict it by imitating teardrops and a chaotic calligraphic font, as if a sad story was written with a shaky hand between the tears that already touched the paper.
MIGONIU hillfort. Legend tells a story about a vicious battle against crusaders, where thousands of brave Lithuanian men died fighting for their lands. A hill was poured by the hands of those who survived to commemorate the fallen soldiers. To depict the horror of the battle I chose an aggressive and chaotic calligraphic expression.
POTERONIU hillfort. Legend has it that this hillfort got its name from Lithuanian word “poteriai” meaning “prayer”, because a girl, living on that hillfort, was constantly praying for her family with an unfortunate fate. The invisible embossed calligraphic font represents those prayers - you can't see them, but you know they are there.
Few close ups of calligraphic expressions, made using ink and different nibs, brushes, cola pen, etc.
Thank You!
