BOOKWORKS NEWSLETTER - November 2006
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| Welcome to the November 2006 edition of the BookWorks Newsletter, our on-line publication that features classes and events taking place at Asheville BookWorks. November is our Month of Accessibility at BookWorks, when we offer classes featuring techniques that can be replicated with accessible materials and no need for dedicated studio space. You can read more about the classes offered during this special month in our OCTOBER 2006-JANUARY 2007 CLASS CATALOG, featuring workshops taught by Katherin McGinn, Gretchen Winger, the beautiful folks at Blue Barnhouse and more. We invite you to stop by our studio at 428 1/2 Haywood Road and grab your own letterpress printed copy of the catalog. You can also browse the Catalog on-line by clicking on the Workshops link above. If you'd like to receive the catalog via mail, feel free to give us a call at (828) 255-8444, or send us your information via e-mail to info@ashevillebookworks.com. We're also happy to provide bundles of catalogs for you to distribute to anyone who might be interested in taking a class. Just let us know. We hope to see you this fall at BookWorks! |
THE ART OF THE BOOK
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In this new section of the BookWorks Newsletter, we focus one-by-one on the variety of techniques and concepts engaged in the creation of artist books. From bookbinding to printmaking to typesetting to papermaking to letterpress printing to book planning, we will take an in-depth look at these processes, with an aim toward sharing their uses and versatility as methods for making rich, innovative book works.
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Featured Technique:
Self-Publication
and the Artist's Book
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Zines by Eleanor Whitney (a.k.a. Atlantic vs. Pacific) |
In her Brief History of Artists' Books on the Yale University Arts of the Book Collection website, Jae Jennifer Rossman asserts, "Independence is key to the creation of an artist's book" (www.library.yale.edu/aob/abhistory.html). This independence is asserted on several levels by contemporary book artists, and many are driven to make books by their desire to self-publish. This month at BookWorks, to accompany our Month of Accessibility, we are exploring this connection via our latest exhibition, Evolution of Cut + Paste: An Exhibition of Zinemakers Turned Bookmakers, guest curated by zinester and book artist Emily K. Larned (a.k.a. Red Charming). In this month's Art of the Book column, we'd like to provide our readers with some background with regard to the history of the zine and it's relationship to the artist book.
The zine movement (the most recent incarnation of which began in the early 1990s) provides an alternative to mainstream media. Zinesters are artists, writers, cultural critics, fans, etc., all of whom are committed to expressing their ideas and opinions regardless of whether or not they are "approved" by the mainstream. Instead of submitting their work to commercial publishers and waiting expectantly for the miniscule chance that their work may make it's way onto bookshelves across the country, zinesters take matters into their own hands. In this way, zines are a prime example of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) ethic.
Zinesters trade issues of their self-published editions with each other and sell issues for extremely affordable prices to the general public, creating a lively community of support for independent press. This community has developed over the past two decades and as a result there is currently a solid core of organizations dedicated to the preservation and proliferation of zines. For more information about these organizations, check out the following websites:
Thrift Store: The Past & Future Secret Lives of Things by Emily K. Larned (a.k.a. Red Charming)
In addition to invigorating the concept of an independent press, the zine movement has also created a new generation of interest in the artist book. Zinemakers traditionally produce their editions using a black and white photocopier, copy paper and staples. Upon discovering the craft of bookmaking, many zinesters are inspired to integrate handmade techniques into their zine design, and some move on to produce full fledge artist books, establishing their own multi-faceted independent presses. Our current exhibition, Evolution of Cut + Paste, features five such zinemakers turned bookmakers. For more information on the exhibition, please see the Events column of this newsletter.
Self-publication is one of the many interests that leads people to discover the artist book and it's potential as an alternative means for expression. We hope you'll join us this month as we further explore the relationship between self-publication and the artist book within our schedule of classes and events. |
CLASSES
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EVENTS
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MONTH OF ACCESSIBILITY
Featured Instructors:
Erin Johnson
Erin is majoring in art at Warren Wilson College and recently served as an intern for BookWorks’ inaugural Bi-Annual Editioning Project. Erin is interested in creating and helping others create artists’ books, teaching bookmaking and papermaking classes in her local community. She strongly believes that art can build community, and should therefore be accessible to all members of society.
Classes taught by Erin at BookWorks in November include:
Recycled Books
November 11
Saturday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm (1-hour lunch break)
This course will focus on creating personalized journals from recycled and found materials. Several book structures will be shown, including a stitched journal made from used paper bags. The focus of this course will be on exploration of materials, with less emphasis on craft. Bring recycled or found materials such as old books, paper, images and/or fabrics to incorporate into your books. We will also have plenty of materials on hand. Bring a bag lunch and something to share for an in-studio picnic.Co-taught with the wonderful Jennifer Brook.
Micah Pulleyn
Micah is a resident Studio Artist at BookWorks. She studied at the University of Iowa Center for the Book, where she also served as a research assistant at the Oakdale Paper Facility. Micah taught bookbinding and papermaking at Earlham College in Indiana. She has been a studio assistant in the Books and Paper studio several times at Penland School of Crafts. Welcome back, Micah!
Classes taught by Micah at BookWorks in November include:
Low-Tech Papermaking
November 18 & 19
Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (1-hour lunch break)
Sunday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
This class is designed to show you how to make high quality paper from natural fibers, including treasures from your garden and the roadside! We will use simple, inexpensive tools and materials to make elegant handmade paper without the use of heavy equipment so that you can learn how to apply the process to your home studio or classroom. If you intend to take this class, I invite you to start collecting natural materials such as garden clippings, flowers, fragrant herbs, mica flakes, etc.
Join the BookWorks mailing list and be kept up-to-date on all the events at BookWorks throughout the year. |
Evolution of Cut + Paste
An Exhibition of Zinemakers turned Bookmakers
Exhibition Opening
November 3
Friday evening
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Exhibition Closing with Guest Curator Emily K. Larned
December 15
Friday evening
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Evolution of Cut & Paste showcases the work of five zinemakers, as they became interested in the processes of handcraft & bookmaking. The exhibit first ran at the Parsons School of Design's Gimbel Library. Curated by zinester and artist Emily K. Larned (a.k.a. Red Charming), this popular exhibit was part of the Booklyn Artist Alliance’s ongoing programming at Parsons. Asheville BookWorks is thrilled to host this exhibition, accompanying their themed Month of Accessibility in November.
The featured artists include:
Amy Greenan, Highest Population of Rock Stars & Pumpkin
Sara Jaffe, Manifixation & Inconvenient Press
Molly Kalkstein, Tyger Voyage
Eleanor Whitney, Indulgence & Atlantic vs. Pacific Press
Emily K. Larned, Muffin Bones, Memorytown USA & Parfait
Parfait 2 by Emily K. Larned (a.k.a. Red Charming)
Our guest curator is Emily K. Larned. Her production label is Red Charming, an imaginary bad translation, meaning "an object or an aesthetic that combines the cute with the cerebral." Emily is in her second year at Yale, pursuing her M.F.A. in Graphic Design. Emily’s artists’ books are placed in over 50 library collections across the country. Before she began her graduate studies, Emily served for several years as the Vice President and Director of Education at Booklyn Artists Alliance, where she is still a Board member. For more information, see www.booklyn.org
NEW Schedule of Hours Open to the Public
Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
BookWorks is now offering a regular schedule of Hours Open to the Public. If you have questions about BookWorks, our schedule of classes, our exhibition space, our studios for rent, or if you'd just like to stop by for a visit, we'll be on-hand and at your service every week during the hours listed above. We hope you'll come and see us! |
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Open Studio Hours
Monday evenings (except the first Monday of each month)
6:00 - 9:00 pm
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BookWorks is now offering a regular schedule of Open Studio Hours for any student who attends a BookWorks class. Open Studio takes place every Monday evening, except the first Monday of each month, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. BookWorks Director Laurie Corral is on-hand during Open Studio to discuss projects and assist with equipment. Equipment available to students during Open Studio includes:
Jacques Board Shear
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Backing Presses
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Foil Stamper
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Guillotine Cutter
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Book Presses
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Drill Press
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Standing Press
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Gold Stamping Tools
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Corner Rounder
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The fee for Open Studio is $18 per three-hour session.
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