David Small‘s Illuminated Manuscript explores new types of reading in tune with human perceptual abilities.

Projected typography is virtually printed into the blank pages of a handbound book with a video projector. Sensors embedded in the pages inform the computer when pages are turned.

In addition, sonar sensors allow the readers to run their hands over and to disrupt, combine and manipulate the text. The book begins with an essay on the four freedoms – freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from fear and freedom from want. Each page explores a different text on the topic of freedom.

The work had been commisioned for Documenta11 in Kassel, Germany.