Comments on: Book Art in DUMBO – 5 + 5: a dialogue

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:18:29 +0000

Folks, I want to thank everyone for commenting! This dialogue reflects the excitement and issues surrounding the books in the 5+5 gallery exhibition and the direction that artists’ books are moving in. This has been a very informative discourse and I hope we can continue an online conversation about the future of artists’ books and books in general! Best, Deirdre

By: Clarence "Scandelle" Johnson

Clarence "Scandelle" Johnson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:23:07 +0000

Really enjoyed the diversity and creative engery of this collection! My favorite is Caroline Hill — her control in the detailing and color of her work is magnificent and enthralling! And the interpretation was both uplifitng and very entertaining.

Love her!

By: Linda Marshall Hill

Linda Marshall Hill — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:12:03 +0000

I was also there for the opening of the 5+5 book arts show. Since I am a librarian this show especially appeals to me. It is interesting to get a feel for the endless possibilities that are out there for this art form. I particularly enjoy it when a project incorporates the intersection of art and literature – the best of both worlds! Over the years I have seen some really cool book arts shows in public libraries. There is one at the new Main Library in Minneapolis now called Altered Books. I also appreciated the mix of artists in the 5+5 show.

By: Robin Roppo

Robin Roppo — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:18:31 +0000

I attended the Book Art show opening night at 5+5. Since moving to New York, I’ve only been to a few exhibits in Brooklyn and Hoboken. I absolutely loved the exhibit! There was a great crowd and a nice buzz throughout the evening. It was great to see everyone’s interpretation and pairing of pieces…especially how some artists chose to create literal translations using books as their medium and other artist created their books. I also liked that the artists chosen each used different methods, color palettes, and artistic styling. I enjoyed seeing the different perspectives as each piece was very unique. I was fortunate to come back on a Saturday a couple of weeks after the opening and receive a personal walk-through of Caroline Hill’s work. I loved her technique of surveying people to extract imagery and then translating the descriptive words into a single frame. The book was a unique amalgamation and collage of photos from a single line in a poem. While the poet and author have so much depth, the construction of Caroline’s pieces were broken apart line by line, rather than interpreting the poem in its entirety, and I am a huge fan of the creativity. I look forward to the next 5+5 show!

By: Jackson Hill

Jackson Hill — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:43:33 +0000

I was also able to see the show at the 5÷5 gallery. It sure would help to follow this discussion if we could see the art online. Any chance of that?

By: caroline hill

caroline hill — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:43:23 +0000

wow, mary. thanks!

By: Mary Jennings

Mary Jennings — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:08:39 +0000

I also went to the show on opening night. It is one of a few art shows that I have been to in New York, but I must say it was one that left an impression. All of the works were unbelievable. I wished so much that I could go through each book and hear the detailed description of each piece from the artist. Such amazing talent in that one small room!

By: Donna Maria deCreeft

Donna Maria deCreeft — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:15:42 +0000

I just wanted to offer further clarification–
In my statement I referred to Chaos Theory which relates to the idea of containment and expansion. However, the idea of containment also comes from ritual. A ritual space needs to be well defined in order to give the unconscious
safe passage. The psyche needs to know where it can
take off and land, so to speak. So the folio is the delineated boundary and within that the accordion folds and the non-objective and symbolic imagery (rather than words since I’m a visual artist) open up to limitless imaginative possibilities.

By: Donna Maria deCreeft

Donna Maria deCreeft — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:46:42 +0000

Thanks Leah, for your interesting and thoughtful
observation. My approach, or “book-form” I guess you
could say, was inspired by Susan Share. Some years
ago I heard her speak about her perfomance books at
the Center for Book Arts. She showed a video in which
she demonstrated the sculptural and interactive
potential of accordion books. I was particularly
excited by the way she expanded the books into space.
In my book accordion folds are contained within a
folio. Opening it and unfolding the pages gives the
reader/viewer the opportunity to create and change the
composition by rearranging the folds.