Bonsai

Born from penzai, an ancient Chinese horticultural practice later reshaped by Japanese Zen Buddhism, bonsai ("planting in a tray") is above all a work of art, made with love, patience, and devotion. Each branch is wired and pruned with care, buds are pinched with delicacy, and water is poured with attention, until a small tree becomes a living image of nature.

A bonsai is made of time; there are no quick results. Understanding what it means to nurture one calls for a meditative process. The illustrations are composed of dots, the smallest fragment of any visual art, as a way of translating time and patience into the album art. A distinctive serif typeface (Argent CF, by Connary Fagen) and a single color (Pantone Black) underline the subtlety of the songs and the minimalism of the cover.

A special edition of 600 copies was produced as a gift for the backers who helped the band release its second album. It was printed by Gráfica Águia and Sala de Serigrafia in Pantone Black C (offset and embossed silkscreen) on Suzano Triplex board (digipack) and Cocoon Offset paper (sleeve).

Stack of Bonsai album digipacks on a woven basket.

Bonsai album digipacks standing beside a basket and a small bowl.

Bonsai album cover with a dotted bonsai illustration on a wooden table.

Open Bonsai digipack showing the CD and an inner panel.

Bonsai album cover: a bonsai drawn in tiny dots, with the title in serif type.

Bonsai booklet open to a black-and-white photo of the band.

Bonsai booklet pages with song lyrics set in serif type.

Bonsai booklet page with a small dotted illustration.

Black Bonsai special edition sleeve with embossed details.

Animated view of the Bonsai booklet opening.

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Art Direction, Illustrations: Fabio Issao
Band Photos: Rodrigo Fiuza

Year: 2015

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