Number 54
A book of overheard conversations from a 'greasy spoon' café, in Bedminster, Bristol. A personal project investigating the role of the designer as reporter – exploring the use of the book as a sound-stage.
Number 54 was recorded at George’s ‘restaurant’ in Bedminster, Bristol.
The book was bound using the same melamine as that of the cafés table tops. And packaged in a recycled take-away bag – with authentic HP sauce stains.
The french-folded, screen printed, limited-edition book sold out in the first 2 weeks. And was added to the permanent collection of artist books at Tate Britain.
The book as sound-stage
The format of the book acts as a sound stage, with 15 seconds of dialogue being recorded on each page. Conversations with me are recorded horizontally. Overheard conversations are recorded vertically; people talking to my left are recorded on the left side of the page, conversations to my right are recorded on the right side of the page.
The louder people talk the larger the type. Half heard, distant dialogue is broken up and distorted. The personalities of the cafés patrons are reflected in the choice of typeface used.
Lovely conversation about the men of the royal family – one of my favourite snippets
