Book Arts

Book Arts

For those second years interested in pursuing bookarts as your elective the following is a very useful if not indispensable collection of websites where you can find out more about artists' books. You should document anything you find of interest as well as bring it into your own practice where appropriate. Artists books, as you will find, are sometimes about form and sometimes about content AND the BEST are when the form and content are fully suited.

Firstly the University of the West of England has a comprehensive list of interesting book related websites and includes Ed Boxall's website!

http://www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk

The following are a list of interesting sites:

http://www.wotadot.com/

http://www.assemblyoftext.com
http://www.johndilnot.com/

http://www.thebookproject.org/gallery.html

http://scottmccarneyvisualbooks.com/

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/prints_books/features/artists_books/index.html

http://www.permanentbookshop.com/

http://www.rcom.ru/artists-books/books.html

http://www.reassemble.co.uk

http://www.preachersbiscuitbooks.com
http://www.dampflat.com/
http://www.booklyn.org/index.php

The following  organisations  support and promote artists' books. To find out more go to:
http://www.publishandbedamned.org.uk
http://www.alternativepress.org.uk/index.html

Made in Hastings

If you haven't been already (and even if you have) you must visit Made in Hastings, a small but perfectly formed shop on the High Street in the Old Town. It is run by a group of creative people who are collectively working together to create a venue to sell their work. They also sell the work of others. Indeed they have just showcased the work of Jasmine Lapper Goodrum who graduated last year from the FdA Illustration course and that of Laura Burton who graduated from the FdA Graphic Communication course.

Selling work oils the process of making it in the first place. There are a range of ways this can be done and Made in Hastings sets an inspiring example.

Photofringe in Hastings

As part of the Brighton Photo Biennial 2012 there is a celebration of Photography in Hastings. This is taking place in a range of venues throughout the town.  

Daniela Exley's exhibition of simple objects offers 'mini-narratives, teasing glimpses that tempt our curiosities to delve deeper into the telling traces of their histories and their owners identities'. Intrigued?  Not far to go as this exhibition is in Frank's Front Room just next to college...you can almost see it from the window!

Hastings Museum is presenting a group show entitled, 'Telling Stories'. There are also a series of talks on and around photography being delivered  at Bullet Coffee House in Robertson Street. They re monthly with the next being on 5th November at 8pm.

There are a range of venues for the Photofringe. To find out where, when and what see their website:

http://www.photofringe.org/exhibitions/hastings

Hamish Makgill

Hamish Makgill's lecture at Grand Parade attended by years one and two was a great way to begin the year. For me he made the above points which seem so applicable to where everyone is at the beginning of a new academic year.

A Cabinet of Curiosities

Just a few links to sites which touch upon the theme of curiosities.


http://www.frieze.com/issue/review/collected-works/

http://www.hdrescher.com/

http://petes-curios.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.adolfwoelfli.ch/index.php?c=e&level=17&sublevel=0

http://secretsofajewishbaker.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/cabinet-of-curiosities.html

http://www.brettryder.co.uk/

http://www.heartagency.com/artist/JonnyHannah/gallery/1

The Wellcome Collection in London exhibits a small part of the collection of Henry Wellcome. Everything has a connection with the human body whether in sickness or in health including a man preserved in a bog, early prosthetic limbs, a collection of glass eyes and edwardian head gear designed to discourage a young child's ears from sticking out!

A visit is well worth while but take a look at their website:

http://www.wellcomecollection.org/

Towner Gallery Eastbourne

The Towner Gallery is a contemporary art museum in Eastbourne. In addition to temporary exhibitions it also houses a permanent collection including work by Eric Ravillious and Edward Bawden. 

It is currently showing: 

A Point of Departure

12 May – 11 November 2012 (free)

Inspired by our locality, this Towner Collection display explores the edge of the Sussex landscape. Our coastline has long been an inspiration for artists – from Edward Bawden, John Piper and Eric Ravilious to Turner Prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans. Also featuring the hidden works of forgotten Sussex artist Eric Slater.

Vicky Roberts in year 2 produced this image as part of her summer postcard series.

The Museum of Curiosities

The premise of this Radio 4 programme is the curation of a fictional Museum of Curiosities curated in part by the comedian Jimmy Carr. Invited guests are invited to make a contribution to the museum.  Guests include a fly specialist, someone with detailed knowledge of dogs and death as well as a impersonator of a car door closing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01n0xpx/The_Museum_of_Curiosity_Series_5_Murray_Bondeson_McAlister/