I have not started my
second alphabet yet. And I signed up with a fine bunch of people over at
A Letter A Week. Well I have thought about it, done some sketches, thought some more, bought old books a various library sales this summer, thought some more, procrastinated; well you get the picture. Now I am ready to start, still not sure quite where I am going but the only thing I'm sure of is that I will be breaking the rules. Maybe I should have warned them that I am not so good at following guidelines. Wandering through some of my books the other day I was reminded, again, of the work of Jacqueline Rush Lee. I love how she understands the physicality of paper. What it wants to do and be. I hadn't realized that she uses "used books" in her work. Here, in her own words "
For almost a decade I have found myself drawn to the intimate, tactile, and symbolic qualities of used books. I am interested in how these recycled books come with their own histories of use and meaning and how they serve as potent vehicles of expression." How this will translate into my alphabet, I can only wait and see.
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| Volumes Series 2001-2003, Manipulated, soaked, dried books, Copyright Jacqueline Rush Lee 2010 |
I can't get her web site to work but here is the URL: http://www.jacquelinerushlee.com/
you might find her Facebook site easier: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001255745685&sk=wall
This is a heck of a lot better than burning, Don
ReplyDeleteThat is the most sumptuous book sculpture Liz, I am in total awe. It is beautiful, worn and elegant. I shall pursue further when we get home and I'm not on my phone. I look forward to whatever form alphabet 2 takes!
ReplyDeleteLiz you've unearthed another beauty. It almost looks like felt. I'm so unsure it's hard I want to touch it and make sure. Either way it looks like a great starting point for this alphabet project. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding this gem for me... gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI l.o.v.e. breaking the rules and seeing where it goes - very exciting idea!
ReplyDeleteWow, you create such beauty with such simple objects...I've never saw anything like this. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHi Don, that's what I figured, but check this out, a terrific piece by Rhonda Ayliffe, http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=121003302486&set=a.443320217486.244492.120989177486&type=3&theater
ReplyDeleteThought you might enjoy Fiona, your latest piece with the steel straps has the same sensibility. You might find it easier to find her work using Google + images, have fun.
Thanks Alice, did you know her work? She is such a find for me.
Hi Jo, So glad you like it too. All her work is stunning but this one is just so complete.
YEA Leslie, I'm on your team, also love not knowing where thing will lead.
Hi Gaby Bee, I would love to take credit for this work, but alas it's not mine. This is the work of Jacqueline Rush Lee. There are links to her work above, enjoy.
how weird is it that I drop by here (lured by a yummy piece of jennifer rush lee's work) and find you saying such nice things about my biblioclastic book actions! you're v. sweet liz.
ReplyDelete(I'm always drawn to artists who dismember books..... ....the action remains so loaded and controversial.... even when you tell folk the story of millions of books pouring into landfills - if you maim a book prepare for incoming rotten fruit!....) have fun turning your books into letter art... (remember to duck)
Hi Ronnie, very easy to say nice things about your work, it's terrific work! and like you I figure it's better than landfill, though they may still end up there. Every time I start to use a book, I have to overcome residual fears of marking and damaging them, amazing how much power they hold.
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