Sally Williams, Assistant Librarian at the V&A gave a free talk  with an opportunity to view key Surrealist publications held by the National Art Library, and an overview of the various printing techniques used.  On display were a number of rare and limited books including Livre des artistes, Artists’ books, journals, trade literature and exhibition catalogues from the early part of the  twentieth century.  On view were works by Max Ernst, Duchamp, Man Ray, Picasso, Hugnet and Miro.

Surrealist  Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself. Their works often feature elements of surprise, and  unexpected juxtapositions.

How wonderful to be able to touch and read these books rather than observing them through glass cabinets!

Particular highlights included a book by Max Ernst in which he had cut and colleged several old  black and white  prints into a new image. The effect was so beautifully done that on first appearance the viewer reads the image as one print. It is only  when peering more closely  you begin to see all is not as it first appears and that there are strange and unsettling combinations within the image.

In contrast in   George Hugnet's photomontages (above) no attempt is made to hide the fact the images are from various sources, and the process is made explicit. Hugnet had a bookbinding studio in Paris from 1934 to 1940; during that time, he and Bellmer collaborated on the exquisite little Oeillades Ciselées en Branche (Glances Cut on the Branch 1939), with its distinctive pink cover, wrapped in a white paper doily (below).

Also on view were;

Sketches and notes from Marcel Duchamps the Green Box,  which relate to his more famous work The Bride Stripped Bare by her Bachelors.

Fascille  - a collaboration between the poet Paul Alwood and Man Ray in which his exquisite black and white photographs of a nude woman spread across the page - a celebration of the female form (below)

A hand written  "stream of consciousness"  by Picasso, accompanied by two pages of etchings, which preceeds his more famous work Guernica (below).

and a book of loose pages which contained large colourful lithograpghs by Miro.

It felt a privilege to have the opportunity be to handle these works. The Surrealist movement challenged our way of viewing and making art/books. Its influence on writing, poetry, sculpture /painting can still be seen in many contemporary aspects of art and design.
As  with all new art movements, Surrealism has  become incorporated into mainstream practices.  A few examples that come to mind include Tom Phillips  A Humument, the graphic novels of Graham Rawle, and in particular the work of Geoffrey Farmer,  whose current show The Photographer and the Surgeon can be seen at the Curve Gallery,  Barbican until the end of July.

Janet Bradely, who organised the recent poetry reading/ exhibition for the anniversary of the bombing on Al-Mutanabbi Street, welcomes Beau Beausoleil and his wife to England. He is hoping to meet various artists and participants of the project, and will be speaking at the John Rylands library where the exhibition continues until July.

Everyone gathered in the British Museum,- a place where the cultures of the world come together, and were able to take the opportunity to get to know each other over a cup of coffee.

"On the Line" is a large scale arts/hertitage project that will work with twenty Essex schools - (both primary and secondary) which are  based along the  Thames Estuary. The aim is to follow the route of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway.

The Project is both funded and curated by Metal and aims to create a high calibre arts priject that will result in a greater understanding of the shared histories of the communities that exsist along the north bank of the Thames and will look at how they have developed in relation to the Estuary and railway line. Twenty artists will each be paired with a school, and the first exhibition is scheduled to be shown at Chalkwell Hall in June. Phase 2 of the project will be shown in the new Southend  musuem when it is built.
 
Local artist Sally Chinea will be holding various workshops with 45 students from Chase High School. The participating students range in age from year 7 to year 13. 

Work is underway, and they will be focussing on Southend seafront, and some the technological developments during the Victorian era. Until the advent of the railways Southend had been viewed as a rural community. Rail travel allowed day trippers to escape the city and spend the day at seaside resorts like Southend.

Students will be invited to explore the theme of "A Day at the Seaside", and incorporate the Victorians love of collecting. Part of the project will create a "cabinet of curiosities"

These wierd and wonderful objects will be housed in a replica of a Victorian Bathing machine. It  will include an interactive space for viewers.

Work is underway with a scale model of what Sally and the students will be building.

Bathing machines would have been a common site along our coast during the Victorian era. No lady would have considered bathing without it's protection. These were rooms on wheels, which  provided a secluded private space in which a lady would peel away the layers of her petticoats, and remove her corset, changing into a suitable bathing costume. These beach houses would be pulled into the sea by horses where upon the lady could discreetly enter the sea while retaining her modesty. Once bathing was complete the carriage would be returned to the shore. 

Gathering books from the Victorian era which will be featured in the show.

Recent work, and pieces in progress.

"Val de la loire" - drawings, collage, typewriter, pamphlet stitch

Louise has also been working on an altered book, featuring the short story Bernice by Edgar Allen Poe. One of the main themes of the story is Monomania. To depict this she has made all the  "the;s" bold to convey monomaniac behaviour. Monomania means to to be fixated or obsessed by one particular thing.

Wikipedia defines Serendipity as a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. 

This was never  truer than when Karen Apps made a little paper bear  as part of her MA studies. She  submitted the bear for selection to show at the Turn the Page artist's book fair 2013. When organisers later used it on their publicity material it was seen by a researcher for the BBC's One Show. The researcher contacted Karen and asked her to to make something for their upcoming feature 'Fifty things to do with Fifty Shades" and, a week or so later, Karen's Shades of Grey puppet made a very short appearance on the show. (you can read more about it on Karen's website here.) 
It just goes to show that you never know what the littlest thing might lead to.. 

Several of us from Artbookart were welcomed to the Forum and the Turn the Page Norwich Book Fair. What a venue, a delightful open airy space, complete with sunshine!

Chris Ruston presented work which reflects her interest in Ice, and what is happenning to the worlds glaciers. Entitled "Ice Matters" her display included a large Ice book, which was richly textured with various shades of Blue.

Chris Ruston with her work Ice Matters

Karen Apps Janet Bradley and Margaret Cooter's table contained a variety of work, - so much of interest in such a small space!.

Karen brought along the Winnicott Bears ( as seen on the posters adverising the event).They were popular with visitors.

Margaret Cooter displayed some of her smaller Memory Balls, alongside her beautifully made "Binders Keepers". Unique handmade pouches for all your bookbinding tools. These were very appealing judging by the number sold,- nine out of fifteen. 

Janet Bradley hung her thoughful "prayer flags" and displayed her The Three Rosas, a book. which recorded an  installation she had previously done.

Karen Apps, Margaret Cooter, and Janet Bradley setting up.

Karen Apps display

Magaret Cooter  Binders Keepers.

Miranda Campbell and David Howe complemented each others work, both drawing inspiration from the natural world They use bark and twigs but very differently. David had used large branches to create a wheel which formed the background to his dispaly. Miiranda's  books were delicately put together .

Miranda Campbell

Andrew Law

Andrew Law returned for a second year, with his  display of hand painted books in which areas are worked over,and over, giving a sense of history.

Jean Mold Hart has previously shown her work at a number of Book Fairs including the ICA,  and presented various works incorporating her hand made papers. Dark and brooding, her book based on the Penelope myth, was a real treat. Other pieces incorporated gold and were beautifully textured.

The Society of Bookbinders were on hand to give a demonstration of the traditional skills of Bookbinding.

While textile designer Kate Marsden had knitted a diary using colour and pattern to reflect her various moods.

It was impossible to ignore Emma Lloyd's altered books which were stunning.. Hours and hours of work go into creating these incredible book sculptures.

Finally after two very busy days, and lots of interesting conversations it was time to say goodbye to Norwich. However  the drive home rewarded us with the most spectatular sunset. A fitting end to  a great weekend.

Photograph taken by Gwen Simpson.

Fresh news just recieved from Beau Beausoleil the Anthology Al-Mutanabbi Starts Here (and the Al-Mutanabbi Street Project) has been selected for the Northern California Book Award's NCBR Recognition Award (for notable 2012 book, literary organisation, or project that falls outside of our usual categories).

This is great news, and a recognition for all the effort and hard work Beau Beausoleil and Sarah Bodman have done in bringing the Project together. It has been wonderful to be involved in this collaboration with fellow book artists from around the world.

The show continues here in England and can be seen at the John Rylands Library, Manchester until July 29th 2013.

On Saturday, Lola, Karen, Chris and Gwen all enjoyed a fabulous paper making workshop with paper maker and book artist Mandy Brennan (http://www.mandybrannan.co.uk/). Mandy creates bespoke papers for printmakers and artists. Her book art focusses on "creating a structural visual language that explores personal experiences while situated in specific enviroments". She brought some of her work along; her hand made papers are exquisite and her architectural books were very interesting.

With the use of a blender we made pulp from cotton and sisal fibres. Throughout the day we explored embossing, colour and adding materials to the pulp. Mandy was on hand providing expert guidance, refining our skills and knowledge. We were truly amazed at how fine we could make the paper. For most of us, our previous experience of making paper was fairly "crude," with unstable outcomes. On this occaision though we were all delighted with our results - especially knowing these results can be achieved with very little equipment most of which is easily found in the home such as old towels, J cloths, and drawing boards.

The day passed all to quickly,- teas and coffees went cold as everyone was so engrossed in thier work!
We all went home with a stack of beatuiful handmade paper, and busy minds deliberating our next step. 

Once home, the way to create a wonderful smooth surface on the paper is to place them on a window, gently roller them, and leave to dry!

The Workshop took place on Saturday 16th March. The day passed very quickly.We all enjoyed the day, and judging from the comments left, the participants also enjoyed themselves.

We covered three basic structures, then created a final book in which all the techniques could be combined. It was great to observe people, heads down and engrossed in the process of making their own books.

By the end of the day some adventurous participants were already adapting and considering new combinations, adding their own personal touches to the structures. This kind of exchange is both stimulating and inspiring to us all.

From the feedback at the end of the day people said they had gained enough knowledge to confidently have a go at their own projects.

A selection of your comments :

"Really enjoyable, with nice results I don't mind showing my family!  Nice to have the instructions to take home - ingenious to put them on the first book we made! Would recomend this course - it doesn't need expensive equipment either. Thank you!"
Lynden.

"Good morning. Very enjoyable easy going class tutors. Very interesting ideas. Thank you."
Sue

"I have never tried anything like this before and enjoyed every moment"

"Enjoyed this course.'Bookbinding' was misleading as I expected more stitched techniques but this was not a disappiontment. I enjoyed looking at the finished books as these were inspirational"
Sandie.

"Really fun. Definitely excited for the next course and attempting more"
Faye and Nic

" Really interesting. Just right for beginners Four  books in 3 hours great!"
Alan

"Reasonably simple techiniques which produced a variety of interesting results although I am not very artisitic but I manged to produce 4 books! Amazing!"
Melanie

"I am so glad my friend Sallyann persuaded me to come, really enjoyable, quite addictive"
Mandy

"Thouroughly enjoyable. It's given me lots of ideas for my art work and poetry"
Diane

" I was so pleased I came - a little anxious in the beginning when I felt it was slightly fast. It made me thoughtful about how I could use this in my own work. It was basic enough to be able to think laterally about how you could use it- so it was obivously stimulating to me at a deeper level. Thanks so much"
Sallyann.

We are grateful for all  your comments, which will be used to guide us in any future workshops,- we will certainly pay close attention when describing the title and  content of the course. In hindsight "Bookmaking"  rather than bookbinding may have been a more appropriate title.Thank you Sandie for this comment.

Janet Bradley Under One Moon 2012

Margaret Cooter, Reading Rooms for Al-Mutanabbi Street, 2012

To  mark  anniversary of the bombing of Al- Mutanabbi Street a poetry reading will take place at the Iraqi Centre, London. A selection of  artists books will also be on show.
 
The Guardian Newspaper has just published a thoughtful and supportive article about the John Rylands Exhibit, and the project in general.

the full article can be found at
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2013/mar/05/iraq-libraries

The exhibition An Inventory of al-Mutanbbi Street - Building with Books, is at Manchester until 29 July,  Books will continue to be added  until eventually  260 artists books will be  on show. It will then move on to San Francisco and New York later in the year, then to Swizterland, Canada, Eygpt, and eventually Baghdad.

Sarah Bodman told Martin Wainright (Guardian) "one set wll go to the national library in Baghdad within the next few years but we have no idea when the international tour by the others will finish. Probably never. Because this attack, part of a long history of attacking the printed word, was an attack on us all" 

A large selection of books can be viewed at www,bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/mainmut12/gallery3.htm

Gwen Simpson Smell the Coffee

Karen Apps  A Nation will fall into ruin if its people do not read books. 2012

Chris Ruston  Pages of Time. 2012