Thursday, April 28, 2011

PCB Members & Friends Meeting

Thursday, May 5, 2011
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

American Philosophical Society
104 South Fifth Street

Join us as we take a tour of the conservation lab of APS and explore the new exhibition Of Elephants and Roses: Encounters with French Natural History, 1790-1830 with Assistant Curator of Museum Education, Jenni Drozdek, Ph.D.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

"Libro Curio" Salon this Wednesday!

CALL FOR ENTRIES
Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book

Philadelphia Center for the Book and the National Archives and Records Administration at Philadelphia (NARA) are seeking PCB member artists to participate in an exhibition entitled Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book incorporating book debris (mostly book spines and fragments) found when renovating a stack area. Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book will open on September 27, 2011. The PCB Exhibitions Committee in concert with NARA archivists will make selections based on project proposals. Participants must be PCB members, but membership is open to all. There is no entry fee.

PCB members are invited to attend a Salon at NARA at 900 Market Street (entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th Streets) on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. At the Salon, members will view and learn about the book spine pieces, see the exhibition space, and be advised of research opportunities. There will be a lottery system for participants to choose a book spine or fragment, which is to be incorporated into an artist’s book. Depending on the number of participants, it is possible that artists will be able to choose multiple artifacts. Please note that the Salon is mandatory. If you cannot attend, you must send someone to represent you and make your selection(s).

Artists must submit a project proposal by May 18, 2011. Artifacts that will not be used shall be returned to NARA at that time. Artifacts incorporated into the artist’s book (as well as the book itself) will belong to the artist. NARA may decide to purchase a “staff favorite” piece for their collection. The exhibition may travel to other NARA Regional Centers, following a four to six month exhibition at the Philadelphia location.

Click here for application forms.

IMPORTANT DATES
Mandatory Salon: April 27, 2011, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Proposals Due: May 18, 2011
Selection notification via email: May 29, 2011
Projects Due: September 9, 2011
Opening reception: September 27, 2011

Questions:
exhibitions@philadelphiacenterforthebook.org

Friday, April 22, 2011

Marbling Workshop with Val Wells

May 14, 2011, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
$75 for members and $95 for non-members, plus $15 materials fee
The University of the Arts Papermaking Studio
333 South Broad Street
Philadelphia PA 19107

Reserve your spot today by emailing events@philadelphiacenterforthebook.org


Marbling is a process of dropping paint on a fluid carageenan surface, drawing with stylus, rake, and comb, then laying down a treated paper to transfer the design. We will review traditional patterns and invent new ones to fully explore the opportunities of the floating paint. We will work in acrylic to open up the possibility of marbling over paste or painted paper. Marbling is visually interesting at every step, providing a unique artmaking experience.


Val Wells has exhibited albums and journals which feature her original marbled papers at craft fairs throughout the Northeast. She has studied bookbinding and marbling since 1985, completing a BA in book arts. She is currently studying occupational therapy in a graduate program.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

UArts MFA Book Arts/Printmaking Thesis Exhibitions



MFA Book Arts/Printmaking Thesis Exhibitions
The University of the Arts
Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery
Anderson Hall
333 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday noon-4pm

Chapter One
April 21-30, 2011
Reception: Friday, April 22, 5:30-8:00pm

Chapter Two
May 5-14, 2011
Reception: Friday, May 6, 5:30-8:00pm

The University of the Arts is pleased to announce the 2011 MFA Book Arts/Printmaking Thesis Exhibitions in the Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery. From traditional to innovative concepts and book structures, the exhibitions are the culmination of the artists’ work in the two-year MFA program.

Exhibiting artists in Chapter One, on view April 21-30, are Jody Arthur, Laura Beyer, Becky Davies, and Sean Dyroff. Through installation, paper sculpture, and the book, Jody Arthur uses the language of maps to explore how identity is shaped by location. Laura Beyer is exhibiting cast and drawn objects reflecting on construction of space and the concept of home. Becky Davies and Sean Dyroff present a collaborative installation of sculptural images varying in form and processes that leave evidence of time.

Exhibiting artists in Chapter Two, May 5-14, are Dan Corrigan, Turner Hilliker, Jamie Lynn Schilling, and Yuka Petz. Dan Corrigan’s new body of work questions the changing condition of the book in our culture through altered books and eroded text. Turner Hilliker presents zines and installations that converge his habits and vernacular into both individual and universal pieces. Yuka Petz exhibits sculptural works on handmade paper that investigate elements of written language. Jamie Lynn Schilling has created a city block made up of tiny hand embroidered books, as well as letterpress-printed broadsides and paper-cuts that celebrate ordinary moments.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Bodies of Text: Part 1 - This Saturday (4/16)!

Performance and exhibition series featuring
Eleanor Goudie-Averill and Beau Hancock
of Stone Depot Dance Lab,
Rain Ross Dance Company, ReAct Dance
Jumatatu Poe and Shannon Murphy
of idiosynCrazy Productions,
Alie Vidich, Heather Cole & Erin Shanti Desmond
of Movement Brigade,
& Zornitsa Stoyanova of Here[begin] Dance Co.
And Artists of the Philadelphia Center for the Book


April 16, 2011 at the Community Education Center
May 27, 2011 at Studio 34
September 3, 2012 as a part of Philly Fringe Festival

Bodies of Text is a series of collaborative dance performances and art exhibitions tied to the book and its interdisciplinary interpretations. Premiering as a part of the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts and its theme of Paris 1911, Bodies of Text is rooted in the idea of Art à la Rue and brings Art to the Street in Philadelphia's Rive Gauche, West Philadelphia.


Philadelphia dance companies interpret seven unique books, selected from many submissions by PCB members. The first installment of these choreographic creations, all world premieres, will be performed on April 16th at the Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster) at 8 pm and will feature works by Idiosyncrazy Productions and Rain Ross Dance. Tickets are available through the CEC (Box Office: 215-387-1911) and through PIFA at http://pifa.org/events/980193157.


Idiosyncrazy director Jumatatu Poe's new piece, A Big Enough Grief, is inspired by Lesley Mitchell's abstraction of AstorPiazzolla's song, Balada para un Loco, in her book of the same title. Mitchell's book has caused Jumatatu to reflect on his experiences with grief and the situations that create it. Composer Piazzolla's lyrics illustrate a man's obsessive love for a woman who is out of his reach. A Big Enough Grief examines the longing for those that are no longer within our reach.


Shannon Murphy, also of Idiosyncrazy Productions, has created Blast Vs Blaze, an investigation of an argument that can never be won or lost. Inspired by Monica Kane's book Strike, and with sound and video work by Steve Surgalski, this dance theater duet explores the definitions that keep us separated, keep us fighting, and that keep us from communication. In the duet, Murphy and Jumatatu Poe combat in unlikely ways. Their movement, often explosive and aggressive forever flues their battle without ever coming to resolution. Blast Vs Blaze is not a comment on who is right or wrong or good or bad. It is more a question of how we fight for ourselves and who we fight against.


Rain Ross Dance, in collaboration with book artist Mimi Shapiro, will premiere another duet, The Flight To Varennes. This choreographic work explores an unforeseen fantasy that could never be a reality, asking the question: does love fall into categories? Ross and dancer Lauren Kelly will perform this exciting and sensuous duet, with an original composition by Dan Roeder.


Performances will be followed by a discussion between choreographers and book artists, examining the transformation from printed page to stage, and accompanied by storefront exhibits of artist books and related material. Featured books will also be on view alongside each performance. Book artists chosen for the May and September installments are: Ananda Connolly, Rebecca Kelly, Anna Mavromatis, Jude Robison, and Bonnie Whitfield.


DONATE TODAY to support Bodies of Text by visiting our Crowdrise site: http://www.crowdrise.com/bodiesoftext


Keep up to date with all things Bodies of Text by visiting the Bodies of Text blog: http://bodiesoftext.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 10, 2011

An Introduction to Wire-Edge and Gutter-Wire Bindings with Graham Watson

April 16-17, 2011 9:30 am-5 pm
$200 members $250 non-members
(and a small materials fee yet to be determined)
The Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

This workshop will demonstrate the fundamental methods and materials for two related binding structures: the wire-edge binding and gutter-wire binding, and show a variety of examples based upon these techniques. The wire-edge structure is a versatile approach to binding single sheets or boards in a codex form which opens freely and lies flat while open. The gutter-wire structure offers similar advantages with more traditional folded signatures. The two basic methods can also be combined, offering creative possibilities for working with a mixture of signatures and single sheets, attaching unconventional cover materials, or integrating dissimilar materials in one structure. Workshop participants will complete a model which incorporates both the wire-edge and gutter-wire methods in one piece, providing practice with the essentials of each, and a glimpse of the possibilities of using both methods in tandem. Tools and materials particular to these structures will be discussed, as well as the fabrication of jigs and other aids which would be helpful when considering an edition utilizing these methods.

Graham Watson is a book artist who translates experiences within nature to a reflective contemplation of humanity?s interactions with our environment, and the perception of place defined within a greater natural order. His work is informed by interests in the natural sciences, and a background which includes music, graphic design, photography, and writing. Graham holds an MFA in book arts and printmaking from the University of the Arts, and a BA in graphic design from American University.

If you would like to hold a spot, please send a check made out to:
The Guild of Book Workers
Mail the check along with your contact information to:
Alice Austin
The Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

CALL FOR ENTRIES - Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book

CALL FOR ENTRIES
Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book

Philadelphia Center for the Book and the National Archives and Records Administration at Philadelphia (NARA) are seeking PCB member artists to participate in an exhibition entitled Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book incorporating book debris (mostly book spines and fragments) found when renovating a stack area. Libro Curio: Reconstructing the Book will open on September 27, 2011. The PCB Exhibitions Committee in concert with NARA archivists will make selections based on project proposals. Participants must be PCB members, but membership is open to all. There is no entry fee.

PCB members are invited to attend a Salon at NARA at 900 Market Street (entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th Streets) on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. At the Salon, members will view and learn about the book spine pieces, see the exhibition space, and be advised of research opportunities. There will be a lottery system for participants to choose a book spine or fragment, which is to be incorporated into an artist’s book. Depending on the number of participants, it is possible that artists will be able to choose multiple artifacts. Please note that the Salon is mandatory. If you cannot attend, you must send someone to represent you and make your selection(s).

Artists must submit a project proposal by May 18, 2011. Artifacts that will not be used shall be returned to NARA at that time. Artifacts incorporated into the artist’s book (as well as the book itself) will belong to the artist. NARA may decide to purchase a “staff favorite” piece for their collection. The exhibition may travel to other NARA Regional Centers, following a four to six month exhibition at the Philadelphia location.

Click here for application forms.

IMPORTANT DATES
Mandatory Salon: April 27, 2011, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Proposals Due: May 18, 2011
Selection notification via email: May 29, 2011
Projects Due: September 9, 2011
Opening reception: September 27, 2011

Questions:
exhibitions@philadelphiacenterforthebook.org