Printing_Multi-plates and Artist Book_2

The book - “A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing.“ (http://ardictionary.com/Book/6286)

The Artists Book - “An artists book is a harmonious composite of design, form, content, and context with no one area dominating or responsible for the bulk of intended message(s). The overlapping of form (materials) and content (message) is quite often the major vehicle for creative expression.”

An artists' book is an artwork in a book format, or an artwork which has its origin in the form or concept of the book. The term was originally coined to describe books which had their origin in the conceptual art movement of the 1970s. The typical artist’s book today is a limited edition handmade book. The material ranges from lyrical and poetical works, books that take on a sculptural aspect to beautiful examples which blend the creativity of the artist with the technology of today’s computer age. Artists books come in all forms, shapes and sizes, and are made out of a variety of materials including wood, handmade paper and stone.” (http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibit/online/ab/what_is_an_artists_book)

I wanted to present printed pages, using techniques I have experimented with, with a physical layered interpretation. Main areas of interest to me – print process, book installation process – in terms of construction of the book and deconstruction of the book, something that was intimate and had a valued physicality.

Today, I read everything on-line, I value the physical book, the one off book edition, one that tells a story on many levels, and encourages the reader to consider their environment as they read. The vessel of the book – the pages, the representation of the subject matter, the physicality of the book and the environment in which the book is read, was important to me.

The book installation as well as the materials and processes used were representative of the transformation ritual – the ritual of the mask.... the revealing and concealment of the mask, its ritual and the representation of who the mask transforms over time. As with the understanding of the written word as the story is revealed.

With this project, I hope to consolidate my printmaking skills developed thus far and allow room to appreciate the way different processes in print-media can be utilised to achieve different outcomes.

My process:

The Art of The book - the process, the construction and deconstruction, the revealing and concealing nature of the mask, in print.