VIDEO IN ENGLISH

The History behind To Night and Back · Mece la noche

In 1947, during the war that lead to the Partition of what we now know to be India and Pakistan, a large part of the Hindu community from the region of Sind - including my family - was forced into exile. This turned us into a wandering tribe, a diaspora spread across the world.

I was born in Morocco, but have roots in India, Ghana, England and now in Spain. This has allowed me to live in and learn about very different cultural traditions.

To Night and Back · Mece la noche is a voyage and homage to the imagined land of my elders, which was transmitted to me through the stories they told me since I was a child.

The book is also the result of extensive research into the *different narrative techniques - whether they be traditional, modern, occidental or oriental - *, from all of these cultures that I have been lucky to be exposed to. These include formats such as: kalamkari, miniature painting, cut-outs and paper-theatres.

To enter the universe of my elders, I allowed myself to play with the use of paper and the traditional book format. Inside a simple notebook I created a theatrical landscape that changes as you turn the pages.

With your support

With the donations I hope to receive through this campaign I will be able to finance the production of 500 copies of To Night and Back · Mece la noche.

The book is small and entirely hand-cut. The only way of reproducing the handmade feel of the work is to print it in off-set and use a high precision laser-cutting machine. Although this technique has become more affordable over time, it is still quite costly if one wishes to produce locally.

For you

By supporting this campaign, you will be able to purchase and enjoy a copy of *To Night and Back · Mece la noche* and/or some of the rewards especially designed to (re)discover the pleasure of playing with paper.

You will also be encouraging alternative types of creative processes and production based on small scale business and developing trustful relationships with professionals.

The book as well as all the rewards will be produced locally, and on recycled paper.

About the rewards

Postage is included for all rewards, and there is also an option for collecting them in person at the book presentations in Madrid and in Casablanca.

FOLD-OUT SCENE OF THE BOOK

A panel panorama scene of the book printed on both sides. To enter the universe of To Night and Back · Mece la noche.

FOUR PAPER TOYS IN POSTCARD FORMAT

Each contains its own character from To Night and Back · Mece la noche: Mahnathi the donkey, Morya the peacock, Ganesha the elephant God and Paksi Devi the bird-girl. With the help of a pair of scissors, and the instructions provided (in english and spanish), construct each one in three dimensions. 


CUT-OUT PAPER THEATRE WITH PUPPETS

Inspired by the universe of To Night and Back · Mece la noche. Once cut and constructed following the instructions, you can fold this paper toy flat and store it safely away until the next time.


Available in English or Spanish. Please specify your language preference. 


PAPER TOY AND FOLD-OUT FEAST (all the rewards above)


All of the above rewards together for those who fancy a feast of paper toys and scenes of To Night and Back · Mece la noche: fold-out panorama panel of the book, paper toy postcards and paper theatre all inspired by the universe of the book. 


Please remember to specify language preference for the paper theatre. All other rewards and bilingual. 


TO NIGHT AND BACK · MECE LA NOCHE


A copy of the paper-theatre book, signed and numbered.

MECE LA NOCHE · TO NIGHT AND BACK Y TODAS LAS RECOMPENSAS ANTERIORES

A signed and numbered copy of the paper-theatre book accompanied by a fold-out panorama, four paper toy postcards and a paper-theatre with paper puppets inspired by the universe of To Night and Back · Mece la noche.


TWO COPIES

Two signed and numbered copies of * To Night and Back · Mece la noche*. One for you, and the other to give to as a gift. 


SPECIAL PACK FOR BOOKSHOPS 1

5 signed and numbered copies of To Night and Back Mece la noche as well as a personalised poster with the name of your bookshop and a pack of paper toy postcards of the characters of the book. 


COPY OF THE BOOK WITH PERSONALISED DEDICATION AND DRAWING + PAPER TOY AND FOLD-OUT FEAST


A signed and numbered copy of To Night and Back · Mece la noche with an original drawing and a personal dedication by the author. 


Accompanied by a fold-out panorama panel of the book, four paper toy postcards of characters of the book and a cut-out paper theatre. 


COPY OF THE BOOK WITH PERSONALISED DEDICATION AND DRAWING, IN A SPECIAL BOX DESIGNED BY ARTIST RACHID L’MOUDDENNE + PAPER TOY AND FOLD-OUT FEAST

A signed and numbered copy of To Night and Back · Mece la noche with an original drawing and a personal dedication by the author inside the book.

Accompanied by a fold-out panorama panel of the book, four paper toy postcards and a cut-out paper theatre with paper puppets. This reward includes a special carbdoard box to store the book in, designed by the Moroccan cardboard artist Rachid L’Mouddene.

SPECIAL PACK FOR BOOKSHOPS 2

10 signed and numbered copies of To Night and Back Mece la noche as well as a personalised cut-out paper theatre with the name of your bookshop and a pack of paper toy postcards of the characters of the book.

TO NIGHT AND BACK MECE LA NOCHE WITH PERSONALISED DEDICATION AND DRAWING, IN A SPECIAL BOX DESIGNED BY ARTIST RACHID L’MOUDDENNE + A PERSONALISED PAPER TOY POSTCARD OF YOU OR A FRIEND AS A HINDU GOD + PAPER TOY AND FOLD-OUT FEAST


A signed and numbered copy of To Night and Back · Mece la noche with an original drawing and a personal dedication by the author inside the book. Accompanied by a fold-out panorama panel of the book, four paper toy postcards and a cut-out paper theatre with paper puppets. 


This reward includes a special carbdoard box to store the book in, designed by the Morrcan cardboard artist Rachid L’Mouddene. It also includes a paper toy postcard of you or the person you chose transformed into a Hindu god or goddess. If you send us a photograph, you will receive an original drawing of yourself or a friend as a Hindu god, as well as two copies that you can cut out and construct into a three dimensional paper toy. 


Who is behind the book and the campaign?

To Night and Back · Mece la noche was created by Karishma Nankani Chugani. Inside the book is a poem called I am from · Yo soy de by Sandhya Nankani. The translations to Spanish, including the title, are by Ellen Duthie. The cardboard artist Rachid L’Mouddenne designed the special box for the book, included in the rewards. **Raquel Martinez Uña is the invited publisher and editor of the project.

The campaign team:

Filming and direction of the video: Miguel Hernández and María Pascual, from Pluviam.

Animations: Miguel Hernández, María Pascual and Karishma Chugani.

Video editing: Daniela Martagón.

Photography: Daniela Martagón and Kenza Benamour.

Printing and reprographics: Sergio and Sonia Arribas, from The Graphics.

Communication: Amina Belghiti.

Special thanks: Noelia Maroto, from Dcollab.

Calendar

The printing company who we have chosen to produce To Night and Back · Mece la noche, guarantees delivery in a maximum of twenty days once the project has been confirmed.

The book and the rewards will be ready to be sent off by the end of December, 2015.

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