How can a book contain time, not just documenting moments in sequence, but embody the significance of its passage within its being?
Red String (2014) by Yoshikatsu Fujii depicts two photographic narratives / lives / timelines, in parallel, briefly meeting to conceive a new story which unfolds only through the occasions of their meeting, creating a narrative dependent on its ‘parents’.
The book reminds the reader of the volatility of time, existence itself; for if the reader were to uncover the pages at a different pace, order or simply skip a page, the third story may never come to light; yet that does not mean the red string is not there. It simply remains as potential, hidden within the books’ pages until a moment of coincidence.
The book encourages personal reflection on one’s own existence and its points of convergence. These are the most significant moments of our lives and they are not even a part of it.
…In Japan, legend has it that a man and woman who are predestined to meet have been tied at the little finger by an invisible red string since the time they were born. Unfortunately, the red string tying my parents together came undone, broke, or perhaps was never even tied to begin with. But if the two had never met, I would never have been born into this world. If anything, you might say that there is an unbreakable red string of fate between parent and child…
Fujii (n.d.)
… My family will probably never be all together again. But I feel without a doubt that there is proof inside of each of us that we once lived together. To ensure that the red string that ties my family together does not come undone, I want to reel it in and tie it tight.
The string as metaphor for relationships Fujii (n.d.)
I imagine this diptych format working well in childrens’ literature, to help them consider and come to terms with relationship changes as a result of divorce. Most children have never known their parents outside marriage, so this may help a child understand that their parents have had long lives outside this familiar union and will continue to do so. It also addresses their place within the relationship, showing how they have fun times with mummy and daddy separately, but also together. I believe this could even be an effective scrapbooking exercise in family relationship counselling for this reason.
References
Fujii, Y. (2014). Red String (original hand-made edition). Hand bound by author.
Fujii, Y. (2016). Red String (trade edition). Grafiche dell’Artiere, Italy, JP: ceiba.
Yoshikatsu Fujii. (n.d.). RED STRING BY YOSHIKATSU FUJII. https://www.yoshikatsufujii.com/red-string-book
Yoshikatsu Fujii. (2016, April 4). Yoshikatsu Fujii //Red String (ceiba, 2016) [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/161564397?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=28345909
Corinne McCaig MA Illustration Blog 