hebel. today · 15 November 202668 / 79
Beyond Familiar · Curious Crafts
Mark Cockram buries books to master the elements
Mark Cockram, a master bookbinder in southwest London, creates special editions by integrating traditional techniques with environmental exposure, such as burying his finished books in soil to observe how the earth alters their physical…
From 2 newsletters · 1 min read · one thing to try
Mark Cockram, a master bookbinder in southwest London, creates special editions by integrating traditional techniques with environmental exposure, such as burying his finished books in soil to observe how the earth alters their physical structure (Nation of Artisans). This practice emerged after he stumbled upon an exhibition of medieval books of hours at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, which prompted him to leave his career in property maintenance to study at Guildford College. His studio in Lincoln now produces works that function as art objects rather than standard reading materials, a shift that has gained significant traction online with over 250,000 views for his process videos.
Burying these volumes serves as a deliberate intervention that forces the materials to age in ways no machine can replicate. This commitment to tangible production mirrors the approach of Jonathan of Clandestine Chocolates, who recently crafted a limited-edition collection inspired by public lands, using ingredients like piñon and chile to represent the Southwest deserts (Will Pattiz from More Than Just Parks). Both makers prioritize deep, tactile engagement with their mediums, moving away from the efficiency-driven workflows that characterize modern industrial production. This focus on niche expertise allows them to treat their craft as a form of resistance against mass-manufacture, as the issue on Monday showed.
Try today · 20 min
Identify one object in your collection that could benefit from an environmental or physical experiment to alter its state.
Select an item that you consider finished but would be willing to subject to the elements, such as leaving a piece of wood, paper, or metal outside for 48 hours to observe the natural patina or transformation.