Hardback

I thought it would be easy to transfer the scroll idea to a handback book. But it wasn't. The pages were harder to take out and when rolled  into scrolls  none of the text was visible.  The size of the pages and the texture of the paper seemed to be working against me rolling scrolls. 

I need to work with the book material and see what altered form it is suggesting. Perhaps I can cut the pages before I roll them into scrolls.....

 

codex scroll continued

The paperback book was taken apart, some of the pages were rolled into scrolls and then fixed into the empty cover. I let the weight of the scrolls dictate the shape of the book object. The cover was very light and flexible. I began putting the scrolls in at the inside of the spine and building upwards and outward.

I built the scrolls up mindful to keep the balance of the piece because I wanted the finished object to balance on its spine.

The book object became a triangular wedge. I added a layer of papier mache to the outside of the cover and painted it black.

 

To balance this effect I painted the inside scrolls black too. They remind me of charcoal sticks.

 I have enjoyed the process of taking this book apart and altering it. I liked creating the scrolls. 

 I want to continue working in this way and make another book with the pages made into scrolls. Next I will try using a hardback book.

codex scroll

Taking a paperback book I have carefully taken out the pages so I am left with a pile of paper and the empty cover.

A page is taken and rolled into a scroll. Working with the grain of the paper I have rolled the shortest edge from the 'top' to 'bottom' of the page.

Each scroll is similar yet unique. I enjoyed the process of rolling the scrolls: to really feel the paper and to work with the paper to create something new.

The scrolls are balanced into the empty cover. I intend to 'fix' the scrolls into the cover to make a 'book object.'

In the process of making I catch glimpses of the text.......


this process of altering a book has been inspired by my recent visit to the October Gallery to see the work of book artist Jukhee Kwon and to listen to her talk on the last day of the exhibition.
fromthebooktothespace.blogspot.co.uk 

remaking and redefining the book

in the front room at Flat Time House

made by John Latham

John Latham's altered books are unreadable but understandable. He saw the book as an event in the present moment. Books are usually read over a period of time by turning the pages and looking at the contents on those pages. Latham saw the book as a symbol of language and thought. He rejected formal learning and the practice of dividing knowledge up into academic subjects.

But do books stimulate independent thought? Do readers just swallow what they read or have they 

got questioning minds? Isn't it just easier to go along with the status quo? Are we consumers or thinkers?

to see what is on now at Flat Time House click here:  www.flattimeho.org.uk