Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything. - St Gregory of Nyssa

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Books

I've always loved books: read them, make them, repair them (when I worked at a Big Ten library), shelve them, move them, buy them, give them away. I adore real used bookstores, the ones that have old books, not just old paperbacks.

My favorite of all favorites is the Brattle Book Shop, in Boston. After an early morning voice lesson, I would eat some lunch and then spend hours looking through their stacks. Bliss.




I like the feel, the heft, the ideas and information in books.

For a while in my life, books took the place of actual learning, as though just having the books made me smarter, or a better musician, or whatever. I came to my senses on that one.

When I was finished singing, I gave away my entire music library, scores and reference books. The recipient has expressed gratitude, I felt release. It was difficult, and it was good.

Now that I'm delving further into the plastic arts (as opposed to the musical arts), my love of the thing itself, the BOOK, has reawakened. Of course, I still love to read a good book for the content...but what's fascinating to me now is how they are put together.

I've been trying my hand at making books. (Such as the prize for the caption contest last Wednesday.) Starting small, no content. Yet.



Alisa Golden has written a couple of good books on the subject. I am working through this one; my goal is to make samples of each of the book.



Really want this one next, since I love repurposing everything. I walk through salvage stores thinking, hmm, what could I do with that...


Saving pennies to attend this workshop.
Ox-Bow. What a fabulous vacation that will be!

Book Structures: Creating Artists' Books

PAPER 622 001
Aug 14–Aug 20, 2011 
Instructor: Bridget Elmer 
Using traditional and non-traditional methods of bookbinding and box structures students create several artists' book pieces. Examining many contemporary works and traditional methods, students develop skills and concepts to create new work. This course explores a variety of methods of constructing book forms offering students an array of strategies to realize his or her vision. Using traditional and non-traditional methods of bookbinding and box structures students create several artists' book pieces. Examining many contemporary works and traditional methods, students develop skills and concepts to create new work. This course explores a variety of methods of constructing book forms offering students an array of strategies to realize his or her vision. The class will also be an opportunity for students to interact with a variety of artists' books, both as an inspirations for making and as invitations for critical thinking. In addition to our making and viewing, we will read from a selection of texts that address the book as an art form. As we survey important authors in the field, including Bright, Drucker and Smith, we will also become familiar with contemporary journals devoted to the artist's book, including The Blue Notebook, The Bonefolder, and JAB: Journal of Artists' Books. Students will walk away from the class with a strong foundation in the book arts, and a box full of books made with their own hands.

2 comments:

Whispers and Wishes said...

I love Alisa's new book, too. I hadn't seen Re-Bound, yet, so thanks for the look. Ox-Bow looks fnatastic but I'd have to sell my son to be able to go. And Brattle Street Books... wow that brings back memories... lived in Boston area for about five years, and loved that place.

Flyover Pilgrim said...

I've been saving for quite some time (read: years) to be able to go...then a windfall bonus this year put me over the top. Hope I get a spot at Ox-Bow!

What have you done from Alisa's book?