30/30, Adrian O'Carroll

30/30 is a study of Glendalough from a deeply personal perspective. Far from the traditional bucolic or dramatic landscapes typical for an area of such beauty, these images touch on something darker, more isolated and fragile. This is represented in the title which refers to the height of the round tower 30m high while the lake is 30m deep. This reflection of the visible and hidden becomes a metaphor for much of our relationship with nature and perhaps ourselves.

Inspired by the detailed observations in these photographs, the approach to the design highlights the use of texture by using 8 different paper stocks including 2 different hand-made Nepalese papers used for the endpapers. The use of interleaves work as a surprise and a pause as you turn the pages. Paper stocks change to enhance images of land or water.

Robert MacFarlane says "we have become experts in analysing what nature can do for us, but lack a language too evoke what it can do to us" This book communicates some of what MacFarlane alludes to here.

Published by Oonagh Young Gallery
Hardcover
76 pages
215 x 267 mm
ISBN 9781916386549