Masanao Hirayama: 88 Constellations

88 Constellations assembles an extensive set of drawings of the modern star constellations as defined by the International Astronomical Union in 1928. Drawn in various levels of detail and astronomical specificity, Masanao Hirayama’s book documents constellations featuring 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects, and 17 human and mythological characters from the entire celestial sphere. 88 Constellations is made as a guide book, to be taken with you into the night.

Formerly working under the name HIMAA, Masanao Hirayama is a visual and performance artist based in Tokyo, Japan. His works are filled with black lines that, despite their simplicity, stimulate our unconscious recognition of the world. Hirayama’s drawings are carefully made, using repetition to eliminate artistic intention—allowing the line to emerge, from the artist’s unconscious.