The Italian Hydraulics Bindings

By far the largest and most ambitious project to date, these five bindings are actually five clamshell cases designed to house a collection of Italian hydraulic engineering material. Each case contains scenery which, when placed end to end, presents a journey from the mighty Italian Alps, past an old water mill to a garden conversation beside a fountain, visiting the Arena di Verona, onward to the timeless steps of Venice, finishing the adventure beyond Zendrini’s wall into the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

When these 5 clamshell cases are closed, and their spines set together, they reveal yet another scene, an ancient stone bridge providing passage over a meandering river.

Each clamshell case - 27cm x 34cm x 9cm. Blue cloth interior panels, custom tattooed monogram within each case. Combined spines image - 45cm wide.

5 volume set, when placed end to end, measures as a singular landscape, just over 10 feet in length.

From The Mark Andrews Collection.

Clamshell construction and binding by Felton Bookbinding Ltd. Photography by Gary William Ogle.