In my Sunday Salon post I briefly mentioned an exhibit I had attended with my friend Kristine. BookArt: The World of the Limitless was at ArtSpace in Maynard, Mass. through January 14, and we were able to find time to visit the exhibit on January 8, which happened to be the afternoon that many of the artists were there for a reception.
The introduction to the exhibit catalog says:
Book Art: The World of the Limitless is an exhibition featuring the work of New England Artists who express their ideas in a book form. The book is no longer just a container that holds information, but it is transformed to convey a unique relationship between form and content. Each artist uses different materials, techniques, and approaches, sometimes to the point where the book is no longer readable. These artists are experimenting with various senses, materials, structures, and size, using tools such as collage, photography, nature, handmade paper, found objects, typography, drawing, painting, and allowing the viewer to engage in the exploration of form and content with interpretations as varied as the artists who created them.
The centerpiece of the exhibition was a multi-panel piece that had been created in a collaboration among eight of the artists. We Are Each Part of the Story is
"Everyday Haiku" by Ann Forbush
comprised of 24 pieces, hinged to open in many directions, then hang flat as a massive wall piece. The accompanying book tells about the collaborative process, includes photos of planning and work sessions, and includes a video clip (to the tune of “Flight of the Bumblebees) demonstrating how the Story book is opened and closed.
An exhibition catalog is available online. Take a few minutes to click the link, enlarge your browser, and look through it. You’ll see We Are Each Part of the Story, Sacred Book (Judith Cooper), and Circle around the Heart: Dervishes (Bryson Dean).
Kristine introduced me to Ann Forbush, one of the contributing artists and with whom Kristine had studied print-making at the DeCordova Museum. We enjoyed talking with Ann at the show, learning more about how the pieces were put together, and the collaboration involved in the large wall piece. Ann gave me permission to post this photo of Everyday Haiku, one of the pieces she had on exhibit. Another of her pieces, Two Admirals, can be seen on her website.
"Library of Alexandria" by Ania Gilmore
I’ll leave you with a listing of participating artists, with links to their websites when available. I hope you take a few minutes to explore their art!
- Jan Cadman Powell -and check out her bio on this faculty page (where she teaches a course called “Book Arts”)
- Judith Cooper
- Bryson Dean
- Ann Forbush
- Ania Gilmore – the curator for the BookArt exhibition. Ania Gilmore has given me permission to post her Library of Alexandria (left)
- Ronni Komarow
- Anna Leliwa
- Natalie MacKnight
- Stephanie Mahan Stigliano
- Monica Mitchell
- Karen Molloy
- Deborah Read Belguendouz
- Patricia Sarrafian Ward – lots of book arts photos on this site!
- Fay Senner
- Julie Shaw Lutz
- Annie Silverman – check out the information about The Dictionary Project on her site
- Carolyn Swift
- Annie Zeybekoglu
Two of my favorite things – books and art! All that would be needed to make it perfect would be food.
This is so cool! I am glad that you got a chance to go and experience it!
The photo you posted “Everyday Haiku” is wonderful. Something about it just caught my eye. I wish I could see this exhibit. Thanks for sharing.
This exhibit looks really wonderful. I have a friend who is a book artist, so to speak, and I LOVE her work. Sounds like a great day!
What a neat exhibit!
Kathy – there were some reception munchies, but Kristine and I held out for scones and coffee after the show
zibilee – it was unique! I don’t know what they’re called … there were several cut-out books, where the first page has a hole, which is smaller on the next page, and so on. Beautiful drawings, paintings, and poetry on these pop-out books. Like in The Jolly Christmas Postman, the last pages?
Martha – I was fortunate that she allowed me to post it Martha, isn’t it something? After this piece ran, the curator contacted me and allowed me to post her “Library of Alexandria” on the page, as well.
Rebecca – I’d love to see more of these. Wouldn’t a *basic* bookbinding class be fun!?
Nicole – I happened to see the notice in our local paper; so glad I did! The ArtSpace building is a converted older school in Maynard. Some of the space is used for studios (both music and art)
What a cool exhibit –
Oh, this looks gorgeously fun.
Oh my goodness I would LOVE to go to something like this! I’ve been to one book art exhibit years ago and I love how books can be transformed in this way. Thanks for sharing!!
This looks like an amazing exhibit…I’m so jealous!
Beth F – it was very cool! If I have time (when I retire? Kids all at college?) I’d love to take a book-binding class.
Jessamyn – I just lucked into a listing in our local weekly paper; so glad I did!
Trish – very, very creative people.
iubookgirl – I’ve got to get on this studio’s email list. It’s a former school, which now has art/music studios. Neat stuff!