A mysterious book sculptor has inspired lovers of “books, words and ideas” by leaving paper sculptures of incredible intricacy and beauty around the city of Edinburgh over the last five years. The sculptor remains unknown, and the mystery and magic of these exquisite pieces is a much beloved part of the City’s cultural heritage.
Today a brand new piece is revealed at Edinburgh International Book Festival in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square. This latest piece is a collaboration between the sculptor and her book loving friends, and is strongly hinted to be the last of its kind.
The first sculptures appeared in 2011. “The Poetree” was in recognition of the staff at the Scottish Poetry Library. The tag on the sculpture reads ‘@ByLeavesWeLive and became a tree…We know that a library is so much more than a building full of books…a book is so much more than pages full of words…This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas…’
The mysterious sculptor told me via social media why she made the sculpture for the Poetry Library.
“I followed them on twitter and liked the way Peggy talked about poetry and cake. It was for the staff really ….a tiny surprise …just a way of saying they were appreciated and that books are important and carry inside them worlds.”
“When it got so much publicity I figured it was worth doing some more …..to get folk to read the tags ….. That libraries are important …One of our better ideas …… To have somewhere free to enter with expert advice at hand ……”
And so, more sculptures were quietly gifted to the ‘special places’ of the city, namely National Library of Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, the Filmhouse, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Central Library, at the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Writers’ Museum.
In 2012 five sculptures were commissioned anonymously for the inaugural Book Week Scotland, and in 2013 Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust were delighted to receive without fuss or fanfare a travel chest with paper sculpture inside “in support of libraries, books, words & ideas”. The message inside reads “let’s keep shouting out about libraries and how other special places enrich our lives” 2014 saw “Butterflies on the Move” gifted to MacMillan charity. This piece was sold to raise money for the charity, and the owners have generously decided to tour the butterflies for book lovers around the country to admire.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is surely the spiritual home for readers and writers of all ages. It has had a special place in the story. In 2012 fifty paper flowers were then left around the Festival site for staff and visitors to discover. And in 17th August 2013 a further magical event took place.
The sculptor had sent out a few hints that there may be a special happening. Walking around the festival site, there was the accustomed mix of young and old enjoying the Festival. There was dappled shade on the grass where deckchairs provided welcome rest for readers, rows of shining new books in the bookshop tent where happy shoppers blissfully browsed, nothing unusual. And yet, on turning a corner there were the most beautiful flock of birds. These birds were intricate yet lively paper sculptures, in simple cages at this point, ready to be set free to fly by festival visitors. Each bird cage had a tag with an inspiring quote. And set free they were. As quietly as they arrived, each magical paper bird was liberated by a book lover to be taken out into the world, to spread the love of books and ideas.
In 2015 the anonymous artist decided “to draw time on the project”. So, a call went out via social media to book lovers all over the world. The sculptor invited us to show our love of libraries, of books, words and ideas, by making our own paper butterflies to contribute to the latest, and possibly last, of her freetofly works. These delightful paper creatures in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colours ‘flew’ in from all across the world.
This collaboration is now finally complete, and the butterflies can be seen in Charlotte Square as one of the many attractions of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. It is the culmination of the love and gratitude of book lovers in Edinburgh and beyond for the joy and inspiration that this mysterious artist has spread. The beautiful sculpture depicts the last Butterfly Tree. Its butterfly leaves share stories with a small, lost child, and bears the vital message “save my library”.
Unlike the unveiling of many long awaited pieces of art, there is no champagne opening, no telephone number price tag. There is instead a quiet joy, as lovers of books and libraries and art collaborate to share this piece with all comers, without charge. Everyone is welcome to come and be inspired, and then share that inspiration with those they meet at the International Book Festival, and beyond.
This is surely the last magic in the city. But as the artist herself says, it’s down to lovers of libraries and books who keep this spirit of joy in reading alive. “We provide the magic x”
Article: Elaine Downs
Picture: Malcolm McCurrach | New Wave Images UK