The Principles of Uncertainty by Moira Kalman

Summary: A painted book, journaling a year’s worth of experiences, from pastries to hats, friends and strangers, random bus tickets and names from the Russian novels, this book explores the spontaneity and art in everyday life.

Review: Beautiful book. Where words leave off, pictures take over, painted with such strokes the story seems vivid and recent, you almost expect your hands to be stained with acrylic flipping through the colorful pages. It’s inspiring, poetic and real. I would love to see more of these kinds of books with the same popularity. It would be reassuring to me that at least the sheep of mass opinion are of good opinion. Heh. That might sound pretentious, but liking one of these arty books is a risk for looking so avant-garde that it can’t be possibly genuine.

Rating (1-10): 10 hand-painted sentences

Favorite part: “I think of her bed construction that says ‘art is the guarantee of sanity.’ I really hope that is true. I think Nature is the guarantee of Sanity. Or maybe love. Or both. Or not.”

Wine-pairing: I don’t think it’s enough just to admire these kinds of works. Visual Chronicles:The No-fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos, & Altered Books, Linda Woods (2006). It’s a gift to capture the present in all its random, collaged glory. Souvenirs of your existence are all around you. A picture is worth a thousand words, what is a movie stub worth or a postage stamp? Get inspired.