“Portare Acqua al Mare” by Blanca Viñas
A book that unfolds
Some projects demand breaking away from the traditional structure of bookbinding so that the visual narrative can flow without interruption. Portare Acqua al Mare by artist Blanca Viñas is a perfect example of how the leporello (accordion book) format becomes a physical extension of the work itself: a continuous seascape that unfolds in the reader’s hands.
The Accordion Structure: Precision and Assembly
The main challenge of this piece lies in its striking structure. Although compact when closed (150 × 180 mm), the book unfolds to an impressive length of 1.65 metres.
Achieving this scale while maintaining stability required a carefully engineered construction. Two six-panel accordion sections are joined together, with the complete mounting of one panel seamlessly bonding both sections into a single continuous structure. The result is a spectacular 11-panel accordion, providing 20 pages for the photographic sequence.
The Paper: Texture as a Photographic Language
The inside pages are printed in four-colour process on both sides of 140 gsm Arena White Rough paper. The choice of the Rough finish—with its distinctive textured, porous surface—is no coincidence. In contrast to the sterile gloss of traditional coated papers, this uncoated natural paper brings warmth and an organic tactile quality that enhances the grain, light and melancholic atmosphere of the seascape photographs, inviting readers to experience the images through touch as well as sight.
Every detail matters
The Covers: Material Contrast and Minimalism
To protect this delicate interior, the book features 2 mm rigid greyboard covers. The exposed, unwrapped board lends the piece a raw, industrial character that contrasts beautifully with the refined interior.
The Finishing: The Secret Behind the Perfect Fold
Ultimately, the success of a leporello book is measured by the way it closes. The careful mounting of the greyboard covers (front and back) together with the precise head and tail trimming ensures that every fold aligns with millimetre accuracy, creating a solid, clean and perfectly squared book block.
The result:
Portare Acqua al Mare demonstrates that apparent simplicity is the product of exceptional technical precision. It is a collector’s object in which handcrafted accordion assembly, the tactile quality of Arena paper and the understated honesty of exposed greyboard come together to create an expansive and immersive reading experience.
