Limestone Gravitas

Numbered edition of 65 copies
48 pages, 13.9 x 19.7cm
Hand bound with recycled cardboard and bookcloth,
embossed logo on the back
1-colour risoprint by we make it in Berlin on uncoated paper,
plus Japanese end paper
Focusing on both written and photographic work, Limestone Gravitas includes imaginary folk tales, abstract meditations on elusive family memories and the abandonment of natural habitats, as well as reflections on the ever-intriguing relationship between mountains and the sea. This collage of words and images offers a glimpse into the creative process behind Niu, Rauelsson’s latest album for Sonic Pieces.

“Although I now live by the sea, I grew up in a mountainous area where the landscape is shaped by unpolished, stone-walled farmhouses known as Masías or simply Mas. These traditional structures, scattered throughout Catalonia and the northern Valencian region, are closely tied to family-run agriculture and are often surrounded by crop fields, vineyards, and almond or olive groves. I spent the first years of my life in one such farmhouse, Mas del Castanyero (House of the Castanet Player), which was built nearly a century and a half ago on a sloped hillside by my great-grandfather. Today, its thick walls, pale red-tiled roof, and the mystery surrounding the origin of its name still stand.

In recent years, I’ve found myself spending more and more time in this rugged land, which, amidst all the changes and relocations, has remained the only geographical constant in my life. While working on Niu (Nest, in my mother tongue), my time in this environment helped me cultivate a better practice of listening and observing, paying closer attention to the world around me and how it shifts. This fostered a renewed appreciation for the connection between contemplation and creativity, and with a sense of both awe and loss, I came to embrace the patterns, riddles, and puzzles presented by this particular ecosystem. This small quest, set against the backdrop of an increasingly distracted mind, is distilled in Limestone Gravitas, a collection of words and photographs inspired by my time spent in this place.

I would like to thank Monique for taking the time to visit me in this environment. What began as a scattered and chaotic array of material has, through her careful curation and thoughtful selection, been transformed into something cohesive and true to its source. Thank you for your vision and patience.” – Raúl Pastor Medall