This story about an anonymous reader leaving paper sculptures at Edinburgh literary sites has to be one of my favorites of the year. The first work, dubbed a “poetree” was found at the Scottish Poetry Library in March with a message addressed to @byleaveswelive, their Twitter handle. Six more sculptures have been found since then, each accompanied by a brief message with a clever play on words and/or a literary quote. The story has gotten its fair share of local news coverage in Scotland, so for the complete story with links to local media outlets and detail shots, see this post.* For now I will leave you with a photo of each of the seven sculptures:
It started with your name @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….. a gesture (poetic maybe?)
For @natlibscot - A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... (& against their exit)
For @filmhouse - A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... and all things *magic*
For @scotstorycenter - A gift in support of libraries, books, works, ideas..... Once upon a time there was a book and in the book was a nest and in the nest was an egg and in the egg was a dragon and in the dragon was a story.....
To @edbookfest 'A gift' This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas...... & festivals xx
To @edincityoflit 'A gift' LOST (albeit in a good book) This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas.... "No infant has the power of deciding..... by what circumstances (they) shall be surrounded.. Robert Owen
For Central Library ‘A Gift’ @Edinburgh_CC This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas…. LIBRARIES ARE EXPANSIVE
*Thanks to Bookshelves of Lesser Doom (Tumblr) for the link.
I’m delighted that you decided to post about this! Saw one of the pictures on Tumblr and they’re calling the artist the Banksy of the book world
Wish he’d send me one of his artworks.
That’s exactly right! I’m anxiously awaiting the artist’s next piece. And lol – you just need to become a literary site in Edinburgh first.
Oh, a mysterious paper sculptor who sneaks in paper art to libraries? So cool. I love it.
I know – it’s too good to be true.