Scriptorium

llumination as an art form is both beautiful and dead. Dead, but not forgotten. In time, even death may die- but there it is, I am a lover of the strange and obscure things.

The noble art of illuminating manuscripts fell out of favour as the printing press fundamentally changed the way that information was copied and distributed. It was, perhaps obviously, too intricate and laborious an art to last under the wheels of invention. But even the printing press was outmoded, and the task of distributing information has become an almost thoughtless activity. If I draw a miniature, I need not make copies of it to distribute to interested parties- rather, the invisible machines will dismantle and re-assemble it with perfect accuracy to anyone who visits this web address.

Let us reflect for a moment on our Patron Saint. In the internet, we have assembled the greatest, most volumed encyclopedia that has ever been written, and it grows still each hour. It is one of the greatest works in our history. Now, we must make it beautiful. If you love something, then glorify it. Adorn it in things so that it be elevated and treasured. Take note from the illuminators of our age, who so wisely build altars of their information.

In medieval times books and reading were reserved for the few in such positions of privilege that they had the education. Those who could read were envied, because books were treasures, and they were treated as such. In modern times, all can read, and our paragraphs are so often left plain and lonely, for they are so very common and unremarkable. But are they any less important than when kings wore crown and knights bore shield?– in fact, the opposite is true.

This world is so grey, so we must make it bright again. If that which we read has value, then let us glorify it as is deserving of mankind's creations. Enough with the uniform layouts and optimizations! Enough with the palatability! O forgive us, Isidor, for we have disrespected our own great works so shamelessly. Capitalism is antithetical to beauty, and we must each fight that in our own little way.

Leonardo Da Vinci said; “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Well, I think that is one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. I am sick of simplicity, fatigued of readability, I have been fed so much marketable internet that I would rather swallow my own tongue. I want to escape from Glass City

As I write this blog, I shall both study and practice the art as best as I am able. I am only a student, a beginner to the art, and not a very quick learner. At art itself I have long been a pretender, but that is one of my more fulfilling vices. With time, hopefully, I can Illuminate this corner of our encyclopedia to some novel standard. In that way, this page may be both my place of pontification and my scriptorium.

Yet this post is also a call to arms; As a butterfly flaps its wings, that gust may not topple cities, but a kaleidoscope may wake the ocean, and that ocean may wash away the evils of humanity.

I promise that there is not one among you who has not practiced the art in a lecture hall, at a bus stop, during a moment of boredom, elation, or frustration. It is a universal experience, I think, to write in the back of a textbook, “I was here”, or something of that nature. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend it, should you find the opportunity.

To illuminate is a base human instinct. It is the itch you feel at the sight of an empty page or an empty margin. That itch is the itch of comprehending possibility, and melancholic longing for beautiful things. There is an angel in that margin waiting to be set free.

I beg of you, join my efforts. Do not fall into numbness as we have for so long. To scroll a lifeless canvas which is inoffensive is no journey at all. Take up now your utensils, and make haste on your hypertext and your cascading style sheets, for that is your canvas! Yes, information and communication are valuable for their own sake, but let's make them beautiful.

Sister Kaitlyn has greatly assisted my research, for she is knowledgeable in all the histories of the arts, and by some astral coincidence is currently studying the subject of illumination as well. I give many thanks to her. Also, other sources are; * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript * https://youtu.be/PF2nmSLjPG8 * https://store.steampowered.com/app/1205520/Pentiment/ * https://archive.org/details/lessonsinartofil00loft/page/n7/mode/2up?view=theater

~ Your friend,