The Book in Time & Place

The Book in Time and Place: A Selection of Artist Books from The University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Drake Universities Cowles Library.

September 11 - October 9, 2009, Anderson Gallery Opening Reception: Friday, September 11, 5-7 pm

The books in the exhibition were chosen to address historical narrative, memoir, and time in books as well as the perceptions and representations of “place.” In addition, the curators hope toillustrate the wide range of approaches that artists can take when using the book as a form of artistic and literary expression. The books included in the exhibition utilize letterpress, various printmaking capabilities, strong illustrative or sculptural qualitiesand unique bindings. The goal of the exhibition is to enhance understanding of 20th century artistic and literary developmentswithin the world of books.

Events connected with the exhibition:

Artist Book Lecture: Layering Meaning: Structure and Content in Artist Bookworks,

Julia Leonard, The University of Iowa Center for the Book Wednesday,

September 9, 4:30 336 Fine Art Center Anderson Gallery will be open after the lecture until 7pm for viewing of books.

Julia Leonard is a book artist teaching at the University of Iowa Center for the Book and graphic design in the School of Art and Art History. She has been awarded an artist-in-residence position atPenland School of Crafts from 1990-93. Julia shows her work nationally and is included in many special collections including University of Delaware and Ringling School of Art and Design among many various exhibitions. She will be discussing works included in the current exhibition at the Anderson Gallery.

Bookmaking Workshop, Peggy Johnston, Des Moines Book Artist and Binder

Saturday, September 12, 9 am - 4 pm, 300 Carnegie

The first 10 Drake University students to sign up are free (sign upbegins in Art and Design office on Thursday, Aug. 27th) after that itis $25 fee for Drake Students and $60 for non-Drake students, Must be registered to attend, contact Judy Drury to register at:http://us.mc461.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=judy.drury@drake.edu

Studio Tour Sarah McCoy

Name:  Sarah McCoy

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: The Permanent Collection-
letterpress cards, broadsides, design and printing

Website/blog:  http://thepermanentcollection.blogspot.com/

Describe your studio/work area: a studio in my basement. I have a
press, woodtype, metal type, lots of ink, a flat file, drying rack and
helpful husband.

Do you have a day job? professor of Graphic Design at Drake University

How did you get started in the book world? I took undergraduate
courses in book arts at the University of Iowa Center for the Book.
When I went back to school for my MFA in Graphic Design I also
enrolled as a University of Iowa Center for the Book Student for my
graduate certificate which I received in 2006, my concentration was
letterpress.

What inspires you? Book artists such as Johanna Drucker, Walter
Hamady, Spring Tide Press, and many fine press printers, Dada and
Futurist books, travel, too many to list…

What is your favorite technique? Letterpress

What is one tool you couldn't live without? My Vandercook SP-15 Press

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Registration and
proper inking and finding time amid my husband, daughter and
professional day job.

What is the most rewarding? seeing people buy my cards and work on
display in exhibitions.

Where do you show/share your work? I sell my cards at various local
and national stores as well as exhibit work at The ALL Gallery in New
Haven, CT, 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland, OR, Minneapolis and various
other galleries nationally and internationally. My artist books are in
several University Special Collections and the Library of Congress.

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? the local connection with
area artists and working together for a common goal.

Studio Tour Eduardo Garcia

Name: Eduardo García

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: Booklore

Website/blog: http://edgavi2.googlepages.com/home

Describe your studio/work area: A cozy and sometimes messy corner of my home basement.

Do you have a day job? I am an Assistant Professor of Spanish

How did you get started in the book world? As a volunteer in the periodical room of my public library

What inspires you? Dreams and nature

What is your favorite technique? Coptic binding

What is one tool you couldn't live without? paper cutters

What is the most challenging part of what you do? staying focused on a single project

What is the most rewarding? selling my books

Where do you show/share your work? Octagon Center for the Arts (Ames, Iowa, USA); Librería La Central del Raval (Barcelona, Spain)

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? My interest in working collaboratively

Any other comments? We deserve to have a Center for the Book Arts in Des Moines, Iowa

Studio Tour Eugenio Roberto Coco

Name: Eugenio Roberto Coco

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: WASH–AND–WEAR NO PRESS

Describe your studio/work area: A tidy borrowed space in the piano room of an elderly friend, who no longer plays.

Do you have a day job? Yes, staying out of trouble and taking my meds.

How did you get started in the book world? Before kindergarten. My father was a bookaholic and therefore it is in my blood.

What inspires you? Shiny objects and discount coupons

What is your favorite technique? Melted crayola and emulsion of oil and water soluble pigments

What is one tool you couldn't live without? Pill counter

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Restraint

What is the most rewarding? The smirk on people's faces

Where do you show/share your work? At the Edible Book Teas

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? Arrogance, envy and self effacing humor

Any other comments? Always check for accurate spelling

Studio Tour Susan Koch Bridgford

Name: Susan Koch Bridgford

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: Mama's in the Laundryroom Press

Website/blog: are you kidding?

Describe your studio/work area: old letterpress type, 5x7 Kelsey platen press, small proof press and book press, primitive paper-making stuff in the back of the laundryroom (where I seem to spend most of my waking hours at home)

Do you have a day job? Yes. I manage a 120-year-old family printing business (with lots more letterpress and bindery equipment)

How did you get started in the book world?  I was a printers' devil for the above business as a kid -- and it got in my blood.

What inspires you? reading and appreciating physical books 

What is your favorite technique? letterpress printing and typography

What is one tool you couldn't live without? type guage

 

What is the most challenging part of what you do? finding time 

What is the most rewarding? creating an attractive, readable design in any medium

Where do you show/share your work? with PBC members and public at our edible book teas 

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? it's an outlet for my passions to write and print my own words 

Studio Tour Jean Wilson

Name: Jean Wilson

Describe your studio/work area: I have a studio where I meet with clients and have samples of writing on walls. 

Do you have a day job? I do not have a job other than my envelope addressing and teaching at the Des Moines Art Center 

How did you get started in the book world? Taking bookbinding classes at the Des Moines Art Center. It dovetailed nicely with my lettering and calligraphy. I prefer my lettering to be in books or on envelopes. I am not that fond of doing framed pieces although I have a few that I like. I am much more drawn to ephemeral art.

What inspires you? Anything that is growing out of the soil. Contemporary Dutch design. Modern architecture.

What is your favorite technique? G-Tec pens on paper, pointed or flat brush on walls, cutting Tyvek.

What is one tool you couldn't live without? G-Tecs and Xacto blades. (I know that's two, but I love them equally.)

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Concentrating and not letting my mind wander when I am addressing envelopes.

What is the most rewarding? When clients get feedback on their envelopes

Where do you show/share your work? By appointment at my studio.

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? Hoping to get a Center for the Book established.

Studio Tour Peggy Johnston

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym:Waveland Studio

 

Website/blog: wavelandstudio.com

 

Describe your studio/work area:Gradually taking over the house.  Two front bedrooms, the attic and part of the basement

 

Do you have a day job? Working in my studio

 

How did you get started in the book world? I took a little class at the Des Moines Art Center and was hooked, although books and containers have always fascinated me.  I study with some of the top book binders and book artists in the country every chance I get.

 

What inspires you? Usually, it is the materials themselves, but sometimes, it goes the other way.

 

What is your favorite technique? I don't have one.  I love them all.

 

What is one tool you couldn't live without? Hard to say. My big book press.

 

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Solving engineering problems to make my pieces work properly.

 

What is the most rewarding? When the problem solving works.

 

Where do you show/share your work? On my website, and in my teaching, and in shows and exhibitions.

 

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? The challenge of pulling all our ideas, creativity, and knowledge into a final product.