Abecedarium n. nucifera
In this sculptural book, the long tradition of celebrating our alphabet in Abecedaria takes the shape of the lotus flower.
The lotus has the symbolic virtues of purity and enlightenment. It can grow in the muckiest/dirtiest of waters but will produce a pure beauty of a bloom. Not to be confused with the water lily.
Abecedaria of the Latin alphabet go back to the 6-8th century and throughout their history were mainly used to instruct children in alphabet primers, where “C” is for cat etc. Mnemonic aids are here replaced by the symbolism of the lotus, representing enlightenment. Marks become letters, and vis-a-versa, leading to knowledge.
Or was Thamus right in his argument with Thoth stating concern that writing would encourage mental laziness or is it correct to pronounce it the greatest human achievement of civilization?
Each letter is either on its own or on a dissected plane. “Z”, being the in- and out-of-favor Johnny-come-lately addition to the alphabet, straddles precariously all five elements of the structure.