UNC professor explores nostalgia and paradise in new book 'The Moth'
Cover art of "The Moth" courtesy of Chris Musina.
"I am looking for the moon..." the moth says, its gray striped wings extended wide past its small body, with a grin on its face. "Sometimes finding the moon is easy."
The moon smiles, and the reader flips the page.
"Other times it's difficult," the moth says, as clouds cast over the moon against the dark, night sky.
Art from "The Moth" courtesy of Chris Musina.
"The Moth," written and illustrated by UNC professor, Chris Musina, is the story that follows one moth's journey to finding the moon. Released this past January, Musina's story is an illustrated book that explores mankind's relationship with nature.
More specifically, Musina said that the book is a children's book for adults, and an adult book for children. The book is inspired by a combination of his two vocations as an illustrator and as a father.
Jefferson Holt is the founder of Daniel 13, a Carrboro-based publishing company. When he saw the first illustration for the book, Holt said he was in awe of Musina's work.
“I don't think that Chris created the book with any intended audience," he said. "I think that he just made the book that he had inside of him.”
Chris Musina, artist, poses for a portrait. Photo courtesy of Chris Musina.
Musina said that he typically explores the complex relationship between humans and animals — such as by showing how animals are negatively affected by humans — often through violent imagery.
"The Moth” reflects on nature and animals, but instead of showcasing intense, violent imagery reticent of his previous work, the book takes a peaceful, reflective approach on the relationship between nature and human influence.
For example, during the moth's journey to find the moon, it stumbles upon the drip of a faucet and the gleaming headlight of a car.
"This is not the moon," the moth says, and it flies away.
Art from "The Moth" courtesy of Chris Musina.
This more peaceful exploration is inspired by Musina becoming a father, he said. "The Moth" is also an extension of Musina's conception of paradise, an idea he explores frequently throughout his previous work. Musina said that his idea of paradise is a place no one can quite reach, a nostalgia for distinct memories. This manifests in "The Moth" through the moth's pursuit of the moon, he said.
Musina said that he was also inspired by classic children’s books such as those by Dr. Seuss and P.D. Eastman.
“A lot of contemporary children's books don't really carry a lot of weight and they are very simplified and simplistic,” Musina said. “I think kids are capable of so much more than that.”
The project began with one digital image of a moth searching for a moon, but after working with book designer Dave Wofford, the two decided a monochromatic, hand-drawn approach would create depth and richness, Holt said.
Working collaboratively, Wofford and Musina designed the book to become a "beautiful little object,” discussing everything from the weight of the paper to its matte finish, Musina said.
Wofford said that he prefers that art be a physical object instead of being viewed through a digital screen. Although he no longer handprints books, he sees his role as that of a craftsperson.
“A book slows us down, and makes us consider the work in a more focused and deliberate manner, so that it resonates with us and soaks into our soul more deeply,” Wofford said.
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Wofford’s book designing studio, Horse & Buggy Press, displays Musina's work in the studio's gallery, and Musina works for the gallery year round, Wofford said.
In addition to showing his work in galleries, Musina sells T-shirts, hats and bags with his designs on his online store, No Masters.
During the academic year, Musina is a visiting lecturer at the University, teaching life drawing and painting. He said that working with students helps him reflect on his own thought processes and understanding of society and culture.
“As the artist, sometimes you make the thing, you put it out there and then you find out more about it,” he said. “You're just channeling something and you didn't necessarily mean to do it. You were a vessel or vehicle for it to happen.”
