"Where From and To: Multiple Bookworks, 1960 to the Present"

"Where From and To" curated by Betty Bright, Ph.D, a photo by MCAD Library on Flickr.

The Library is pleased to present, WHERE FROM AND TO: MULTIPLE BOOKWORKS, 1960 TO THE PRESENT, curated by scholar Betty Bright, PhD.

This exhibition of over 20 works selected from the Artists’ Books Collection is being held in conjunction with MCAD Open Classroom, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. That day Dr. Bright gave a presentation in Dr. Philip Larson’s “History of Print / Paper / Book” class in Auditorium 140, 10:45 am – Noon.

To read Dr. Bright’s essay that accompanies the exhibit, click HERE.

The exhibition is now on view in the main reading room of the Library through mid April.

Betty Bright is the author of No Longer Innocent: Book Art in America, 1960 to 1980, the first comprehensive history of the book art movement in America.

Sneak Peek!

Sneak Peek!, a photo by MCAD Library on Flickr.

Some rearranging is going on in the Library's Main Reading Room in anticipation of an exhibition of artists' books opening March 21.  Watch this space!

"New Reading Experiences" from students in Creative Writing

"New Reading Experiences" from students in Creative Writing, a photo by MCAD Library on Flickr.

Lightsey Darst's Creative Writing students have installed work in the Library's card catalog.

Stop by the Library today & play!

Cave: Handmade Paper & the Artful Book

Left to right, Amanda Degener and Bridget O'Malley (both facing camera) speak with visitors after the lecture.

Books and paper samples were on display to be handled after the lecture.

This past Saturday, Amanda Degener and Bridget O’Malley of Cave Paper presented a lecture at the MIA. Cave: Handmade Paper & the Artful Book showcased Artists’ Books created using cave paper as well as the personal work of Degener and O’Malley. Friends since 1985 and business partners since 1994, Degener explains, “We are two very different people but what we have in common is that working with paper is our life’s work”. This common goal has continued to serve them as they work side by side to create one of a kind paper in high demand among book artists around the world.

At this point in the lecture, a video showed the physical and monotonous process of making paper. “It’s nice to do the same thing over and over and have that connection with the earth.” Degener continues, “Call it meditation if you will…” This process starting with raw materials and ending with sometimes five layers of dye is nothing short of a labor of love.

After showing a series of images of Artists’ Books using Cave Paper, Degener and O’Malley go on to explain that the thing they are most proud of is their internship program. They have hosted more than 80 interns accomplished in a variety of different media. They feel it is there responsibility to pass on their knowledge to a younger generation so that they may continue the craft of papermaking.

Degener closed by reading Essence by Stuart Kestenbaum, she explains, “as artists, you boil things down to their essence”. That is what Cave Paper is all about.

For more information on Cave Paper, visit: cavepaper.com

For information on Art-a-Whirl, a papermaking event mentioned during the lecture, visit: nemma.org