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A simple white cover is the front of this book, bound with brown hemp thread using a Japanese Stab Binding. The paper, handmade abaca, is the same as used throughout this artist book. Opening it, the viewer first sees a sheet of blank tracing paper. Turning this, there is a stenciled outline of a T cut into more abaca paper. The pattern continues: tracing paper, stenciled letter, tracing paper, stenciled letter. Heavier abaca sheets separate the division between words as the book spells out the phrase,
THE WEIGHT OF WORDS
The simple design of this book lends importance to the contents by being the only changing aspect of the work.
Words do have a weight: a weight on the heart and mind. They can lift and support with kindness. But they can also hurt and cut others, even oneself, if not used with care. Yet we often toss them about, taking them for granted and not always thinking how they might effect others. Worse, we sometimes use them with the specific intent to hurt. Let us remember that words can hurt and to use them with care. And let us also remember they can heal.