BNB are proud to present our debut publication
Do King Penguins Congregate On Frozen Ground Sometimes?
A Climate Crisis
Campfire Tale
The true story of how you got here, tracing the extraordinary journeys of the universe and you, from its explosive inception to our potential extinction. Told in chapters that step through the taxonomic table, steadily zooming in on the human zoo, Steve Wallis's engaging tale stays true to the science of each stage without ever letting go of a love of language.
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The title is a common mnemonic used by biologists to remember the ranks of taxonomy (the scientific study of naming, defining and classifying groups of organisms based on shared characteristics): Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus & Species.
Each chapter explores its own themes in free-ranging verse forms that unearth the innate and intricate rhythms of ordinary words and evolve along with us as the focus of the story shifts from the metaphysical to the intrapersonal.
by First Intent or Chance Event
all things are only as they are
and when they change arrangement
with no direction, prompt or cue
all things can only do
what each thing knows to do
(from verse 3)
coast galago, spectral tarsier
indri, sifaka, Milton's titi
Bornean white-bearded gibbon
Vanzolini's bald-faced saki
bands and gangs and troops and tribes
a treasury of primate tails
(from verse 54)
Artist Isabel Carmona's illustrations respond directly to the words of the verses they accompany. Whether protraying microscopic life, the majesty of the universe, atoms, animals or evolution, Isabel's distinctive style shines through - acutely observed, bold, direct and bursting with colour.
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Isabel has drawn and block printed over 100 illustrations for DKPCOFGS, some of which are shown in this gallery:
Illustration for verse 83 (Strain)
Illustration for verse 76 (Species)
Illustration for verse 55 (Order)
Illustration for verse 83 (Strain)
Performance
DKPCOFGS is also available as a 45 minute performance, comprising a dramatised recitation of the poem accompanied by projected images. Please contact Steve Wallis directly to enquire or book.
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