Kwaadaardige wind, liefdevolle wind- laatste deel 1908 - 1910

Kosugi Tengai created this book cover, Kwaadaardige wind, liefdevolle wind- laatste deel. The even, green surface, gives the impression of a smooth and consistent process, until we get up close. The beauty of this piece lies in its material presence, which reminds me that artmaking is about the tangible qualities of a thing. Up close, we see the surface is far from uniform. Look at the gold leaf lettering against the matte green, and how the gold lifts off the page! It’s subtly raised, catching the light in a way that a flat print wouldn’t. It’s the kind of detail you might miss at first glance, but it adds so much to the feel of the piece. The green colour of the cover reminds me of Agnes Martin, who often worked with a similarly restrained palette to emphasize the subtle, almost meditative qualities of her work. Like Martin, Tengai invites us to slow down and appreciate the small details that make this work so special. It reminds us that art is not about fixed meanings but about the ongoing conversation between the artist, the materials, and the viewer.