We Can’t Do Perfect

The video WE CAN’T DO PERFECT follows the print production of the book BANGALORE A–Z over a period of four weeks. It reveals the complexity of book making and celebrates the beauty of the crafted object. The video was filmed on location at Grafiprint, Bangalore, India. The sound for the video is composed by Martin Lutz.

The Bangalore A-Z is a limited edition notebook conceived and designed by Anja Lutz. It combines personal takes, ideas and advice about the city, contributed by a variety of locals and visiting artists. From ‘Autorickshaw’ to ‘Zebra Crossing’, the entries are dispersed throughout the publication alongside some visual references. The inspiration for this publication is the Indian Ledger Book, the omnipresent account book where everything seems to be noted down: visitors, transactions, receipts etc. A huge bureaucratic effort that is a legacy of the British colonial past.

In close collaboration with Chandra Mouli from Grafiprint, Anja Lutz developed the form of this publication, referencing the Ledger Books in terms of paper quality, two colour printing, binding technique, edge colouring and embossing. Taking the possibilities and techniques of this traditional printing house into consideration, the Bangalore A-Z is printed on a 1974 Heidelberg one-colour off-set press, it is machine stitched and hand-bound with a half-calico hardcover. The foil embossing on the cover was executed with a 1952 letterpress by Maya Machinery of Calcutta. The edge colouring is done by hand with pigments that are traditionally used in religious ceremonies.

Filming and editing: Anja Lutz
Sound: Martin Lutz
Recorded on location at Grafiprint, Bangalore, India
With many thanks to Mr. Mouli from Grafiprint and the wonderful craftsmen and women who worked on the book production.
This project is made possible thanks to the support of bangaloREsidency, Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan
and Jaaga
© 2015