Both But Between

Both But Between

Creator

Jana Sim

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Other Contributors

N/A

Description

Both but Between is an alphabet book which celebrates bilingualism. A Korean American book artist, Jana Sim overlays the Korean alphabet, Hangul, with the English alphabet to draw contrasts and parallels between the two languages. The English text is printed in blue ink, on sheets of clear OHP film; underneath, the Korean text is printed in red ink on handmade paper. When viewed together, the English translation is placed directly above the corresponding Hangul characters. When the OHP film is lifted, however, the Korean can be viewed alone. This gives the impression that even when a bilingual speaker, like Sim, communicates in English, their first language is ever-present underneath. The handmade paper which holds the Korean text adds a personal touch which contributes to the underlying theme of identity. According to Sim, "Words have been selected that reflect my identity. I used the English alphabet but employed the structure of Hangul. By reflecting the Korean letter form and combing the two languages, this book opens a window for an English-speaking person into my struggle with a foreign language.” The pages are bound between two hard board covers which, when closed, are secured with a magnet. The binding is sewn with interwoven red and blue waxed thread.

Publisher

Self-Published

Subject

identity, language, Korean, Hangul, English, written language, letters, alphabet, bilingual

Extent

4.5 x 5.8"; 17 handmade paper leaves; 16 OHP film leaves.

Style

Exposed binding.

Material

Handmade paper, OHP film, cloth board, waxed thread.

Technique

Letterpress printed on handmade paper. Laser printed on OHP film.

Date

2021

Other Information

Edition 4 of 27. Signed by the artist. For more information, visit Jana Sims’s website at http://www.janasim.com/20 or Vamp and Tramp at http://www.vampandtramp.com/finepress/s/jana-sim.html.

Both But Between

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