5" x 8.5" opened.
Sleep has traditionally been categorized into four stages: awake, light, deep, and REM. It's intriguing to consider that we essentially sleep our entire lives according to this definition, even when we seem awake. While not entirely scientific, this perspective is thought-provoking.
My project focuses on three sleep stages: light, deep (physically restorative), and REM (when our mind relaxes and dreams occur). Each stage is represented by a different color of paper used in my artist book. Correspondingly, my three children each embody one of these sleep stages, symbolized by the colors in the book.
There is something fascinating about sleep—how intimate and vulnerable it is, how meditative and relaxing. It can be seen as a rebirth, sensual, and magical, shaping the rhythm of our lives. It offers total freedom, an unknown state where our bodies are still, yet our minds explore new realms. I wanted to capture the essence of this natural yet dreamy condition, the detachment from reality while still being a part of it, balancing between sleep and wakefulness, meditation and dreaming.
Working on The Book of Sleep during the pandemic, I utilized paper engineering, an X-acto knife, pencil, and colored papers. Carefully drawing the faces of sleeping children, I aimed to capture the awe and peacefulness of these moments, slowing down in meditation. My hope is for everyone to appreciate the simple joys of contemplation, sleep, and the peaceful state of being.
The children's dreams are brought to life through 3D pop-ups throughout the book. The horizontal format of the book enhances the sensation of deep sleep and promotes relaxation for the reader.
When designing a pop-up, I begin by creating sketches. I evaluate various mechanical approaches, considering their advantages and disadvantages, and sketch potential designs. It's a trial-and-error process—what appears promising on paper may not always function as intended. As a paper engineer, my role is to explore multiple options to discover the most effective solution for bringing the pop-up or scene to life.
Drawing my children asleep is a very intimate experience for me, as is the sleep itself. At the same time, it is a meditation on a lucid moment that I would like to share with the viewer, an invitation into the calming realm of dream and calmness.
