Each semester, a lively and productive series of classes called The Art of the Book is offered in the Department of Art, Design, and Art History. Taught by professional artist and co-director of the Brighton Press Michele Burgess, this class is a memorable experience for all its lucky participants. In the past, students have learned binding and book arts techniques by creating one unique work for each different style of book structure. But during the 2009 Spring and Fall semesters, students went Above and Beyond the typical book arts class experience by undertaking the incredible task of "editioning" their creations. In the field of the book arts, to "edition" means to create a finite number of multiples of the same hand-printed, hand-bound book. Book artists then sell their limited editions to private collectors, libraries, and art museums. Through this assignment, students were able to operate just as professional book artists do, learning practical methods for edition binding while creatively exploring one theme in depth, and while using the full range of their artistic techniques and talents.Students wrote their own texts using methods incorporated in "found" poetry forms. Throughout the course, there were exercises and discussions about the creative process, and about the processes used in conceptualizing and transforming ideas into paginated visual art forms. The art media and techniques used in each edition were chosen by students and adapted to editions standards, and included: hand binding, printmaking, painting, digital art and computer-generated imagery, letterpress, creative writing, metals, photography, wood and furniture techniques, ceramics and clay, drawing, sculpture, and fibers.
Special Collections is deeply appreciative of these students' willingness to donate one copy of their remarkable book creations to our collection. Stop by the gallery area outside our department (on the 4th floor of the Library Addition) starting January 25th to browse these incredible works of art!
