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I have been researching, writing, creating, and
constructing elaborate thematic calendars for over a decade.
These calendars feature a young girl named Binka and her
sidekick teddy bear Stubbs. This year's theme explores the
nature of time, as Binka encounters an astrophysicist, a
monk, a televangelist, and nine other fellow time-travelers
who have distinct views of the possibility of the End. Each
month brings a colorful illustration (see samples at left),
a rhymed tale, and extensive
trivia. Users of the calendar may dabble in a bit of
personal prognostication with a free
set of mini tarot cards with instructions for use (major
arcana only.)
Binka says, "Every year we go on a trip, and we record
what we see, whether it's the ocean or outerspace, the art
museum or ancient Egypt. This year all of us are traveling
through time to the end of the year 2000 together. It's a
bit of a pilgrimage--just like The Canterbury Tales,
a story Stubbs heard from his friend Geoff. He and I will
ask fellow time travelers where (or when?) we can find the
End of Time, and along the way we'll celebrate all the
holidays and anniversaries we can." (from the
introduction)
The calendar is designed to open like a triptych each
month, and the binding allows calendar users to open each
month as if it is a year-long advent calendar. The design of
medieval Books of Days also inspired the format of the
calendar. The calendar was printed on textured, recycled
paper at two local print shops. Every copy is hand-assembled
by the artist. The covers are made of recycled velour
(fuzzy) blue board. See "structure" for more details.
These handmade calendars, Binka Goes to the End of Time
2000, are available for $15. They make nice gifts.
Email questions to binkalendar@yahoo.com.
Send your check (for $15 per
calendar ordered, tax included, postage welcome)
Michelle Hlubinka
binkalendar
P.0. Box 380649
Cambridge, MA 02238-0649
Please indicate delivery address
too!
Fan mail may be addressed to me,
Michelle Hlubinka. :)
At left you'll see a preview of the drawings. You may
click on July, November,
and December to read the tales and
see larger views of the illustrations. Of course, the best
form of this calendar is hard copy, so please remember that
as you look at this page!
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