Conceived and edited by Erik Madigan Heck, the second issue of the limited-edition arts journal Nomenus is titled ‘The Language of Flowers’. The publication seamlessly weaves together floral and figurative contemporary paintings and photographic studies from a range of contributors, including Rita Ackermann, Ida Applebroog, Kaye Donachie, Helen Frankenthaler, Anselm Kiefer, Nick Knight and Gabriel Orozco. The OTA-bound softcover book is enclosed in a paper-wrapped slipcase with foiled typography and a debossed tip-on plate.
The layout and typography are inspired by early 20th-century artist monographs, with large artwork plates, immersive full-bleed details and endpapers, as well as traditionally set typography. The bespoke masthead includes an unusual ligature connecting the N and U; headings are set in APFEL Type Foundry’s Marquis – a humanist sans serif with reference to early 20th-century British typefaces – while the expressive serif Sainte Colombe was chosen for body text and captions throughout.
We worked closely with Heck to sequence the artworks, creating conversations between the contributors on 15 paper stocks – from matt coated and high gloss to uncoated. Coloured paper dividers are used throughout, utilising the colour theme of each section, with corresponding quotations printed on semi-transparent tip-in pages. Other details include a double gatefold and a cut-short section that is designed as a letter-like intervention.
