The Imperfection of Keys 2021 - 2028

I really do try and create these paper Keys to the Remarkable Door in a symmetrical way…and often at the beginning of the process the paper parts do line up neatly. But, alas, I will likely never be good at precision and my keys will always take on a quirky life of their own. Years ago I was in Florence, Italy where a tour guide was explaining that the machine made leatherwork designs had flawless patterns and one could tell the handmade work because it contained slight imperfections. I’ve decided to embrace the many imperfections of the keys I make, indeed I think the off-kilterness of the design gives them personality. And so as I find myself remembering all the imperfections in my behaviour and character (let’s not even bother with the thoughts on physical appearance flaws) as I age I will strive to remember that is what makes me human, that is what gives me character.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting this small fundraiser in support of the library. Available keys can be found here.

The old hymn book I got for key making proved to be too smelly to use. I did want to include some sort of sheet music in this mini-project so I tracked down a Leila Fletcher beginner piano book. I don’t remember if I had this exact book (I remember a green cover) but it is very possible that I played many of the songs included in this book in my youth.