Literary Essences by Wendy Fernstrum

Literary Essences by Wendy Fernstrum

As the author states, Literary Essences plays with the idea of literature as an elixir- a "you are what you read" approach to wellness. This is a sensory, mind-body literary experience that amuses and tantalizes in its sense of its own valid purpose, and in its intricate and humorous design and creation. The artist explains that this is a step by step guide to the use of literary essences as natural health remedies for emotional and spiritual well-being. The 'book' consists of 26 vials of literary essences, each labeled with the title of a book and containing small discs of paper purportedly cut from the pages of the first editions of those books, along with a scent "that captures the precise and particular odor" that is representative of the emotional content of those works. "Each essence cures, alleviates, or engages certain feelings, symptoms, or conditions." An accompanying bound volume titled "Literary Essences-A Practical Overview" is a guide to how the essences should be used for best effect. The book also poses searching questions to enhance the reader's experience with each book. In addition, the guide offers a pseudo-scientific explanation of how the literary essences are extracted, distilled, infused. The guide issues a cautionary piece of advice as well: that "the essences not be used as are drugs or even herbal remedies, because literary essences are soul remedies." At the same time there is the suggestion that the essences can "facilitate remarkable changes in physical health." Examples of such effects are given. For example "someone taking "On Walden Pond" essence to treat a life of quiet desperation may feel an acute awareness of oppression before being able to live independently." By the same token, asking about Milan Kundera's "Identity"-"Do you feel a vague sense of panic over the thought that, essentially, you're no different than any other schmuck in the world?" Discussing Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" the question is asked of the user "Do you believe life is randomly meaningless?" To be used in conjunction with the "Practical Overview" is a series of cards representing each title, identifying the "positive qualities" and the "patterns of imbalance" that each work might elicit.

Literary Essences is contained in a clam-shell box with a pair of tweezers for handling the scent-infused discs of paper.

This is a remarkable work in itself, combing literature, homeopathy, body-mind-spirit philosophies, and a great deal of tongue-in-cheek humor.

Literary Essences by Wendy Fernstrum (25 x 29 cm) published by Fernwerks Press in Minneapolis, MN

2000 in an edition of 25 copies signed by the author. The copy in the Herron School of Art and Design Artists' Books collection is number 15.

Snow Bound in September : a Re-imagining
by Laurie Whitehill Chong (2012)

Snow Bound in September : a Re-imagining is a paean to the author's grandparents, Robert and Lucia, who, in late September, 1915 set off on a three-day hike of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Seasoned climbers and hikers, they knew what they were doing but, on the third day, became trapped on the mountain in a snow storm that confined them, and two friends, to a small mountain cabin where cold and a shortage of food threatened the success of the trip. Robert kept a diary and in Snow Bound in September : a Re-imagining the author refers to that diary and imagines what it must have been like that snowy September. In particular she re-imagines what it must have been like for Lucia, her grandmother, the silent partner in the original journal. The journal, and the author's commentary, allude to the joy of the expedition, and to the circumstances of the challenges with which they had to contend, as well as to the exhilaration and relief of their ultimate survival, and is subdivided into days. The author examines extracts from the original diary and poses questions about how it must have felt to be in that situation, how the climbers responded to the circumstances and to each other. The book is in journal-form and pocket journal-size, corresponding to her grandfather's original copy. It is illustrated with 14 linocuts, 7 of which are fold-out, portraying scenes of the hike as imagined, as well as portraits of the participants, as well as a map of the route inserted in a rear pocket. The book is casebound in cloth over boards with recessed title on the front cover and a wrap-around flap closure. This is copy no. 8 of 25, signed by the author.

"Mortals wander, but Mountains are as Old Friends"

(from the Foreword)