Projects in college level artist book courses

[Jim Lee]

I teach book arts and letterpress printing in our printmaking dept. at a university art school. I am always on the look out for good project ideas and new approaches to teaching this complex discipline. So I was wondering what kinds of projects, approaches, directions, and experiences people out there are using with their students.

(I had wanted to attend the recent conference of the College Book Arts Association, but was unable. Maybe next time.)

To get it started - we teach two courses, one semester each:
Books I is a Structures course aimed at beginners to introduce the major book structures, binding and craft, the book space, time-based concepts of sequence and pagination, they do several unique-book projects with complex content using hand drawn media and some digital approaches. Books II is a Printed Book course that involves letterpress text together with printed imagery in any of the print media we also teach. My students are mostly printmakers who make a letterpress broadside and then a book with printed imagery in a small edition of at least 10 copies. More about us later.

I hope to get a lively discussion about other book programs, curriculum and especially specific projects here. Post some images too.

[Robert Heather]

Jim, I would have thought that this subject would stimulate quite a bit of discussion?

[Paula MacGregor]

I am a mature student studying for my Masters degree. Our next project is to integrate our own work with something from an 'outside' influence - we are going to use the Mass-Observation Archive. It will be our choice which subject we use and how we use it, but there should be just enough 'randomness' to make this a very interesting module.

[Fred Goldberg]

Dear Paula,

I read of your upcoming project.

I like to add crayoned pictures to small books that I do. But I think my approach is absorbing in that I'm doing a very individualized structure. My most recent book ""Elephant Pastimes Coloring Book," has one such picture on the first page of the book. Also, my structures vary. Although, I learned to make perfectly square books when I studied book arts, I now like to do free-hand covers of a 'softer' variety. In these ways the work of book-making which includes, for me, story writing and color or noncolor illustrations, become untimed oriented play.

Yours Truly,

Fred Goldberg

[Kirsty Postin]

Hey there, im currently taking my A-levels and for my art and design photography, i am to choose a piece of literature (i've chosen william butler yates, the lover tells of the rose in his heart) and create a book from the photographs influenced by it. My class and i are really enjoying the project as it is open to interpretation and has created many different responses, im looking forward to seeing everyone else's.

[Elisabeth Long]

The upcoming CBAA conference in Portland includes a show called 'The Assignment' which is highlighting the assignments people give (to their students or to themselves) and the resulting works.

[Sarah Clark]

Hi,

I don't know about teaching but I manage a project called the Collective Atlas. The aim is for artists to submit small books to us (the Somethink Collective) representing a certain place in the hope of building a collection to exhibit. we already have quite a few. Take a look at our blog - www.somethinkcollective.blogspot.com. the details are on there (in the first ever post, though i hope to repost it also). If you want any further info please do contact me. we welcome new submissions and the project is ongoing. Perhaps it might be of some use for you?

Many thanks,

Sarah

[ALFONSO fILIERI]

Dal 1980 esiste un progetto didattico "LArte di fare il libro".

Sono ideatore e conservatore di tutti i materiali prodotti.

I libri sono stati realizzati in tutte le sezioni della scuola d'Arte.

Carta, ceramica, metallo, legno, argilla e vari materiali combinati tra loro.

Libri stampati a tiratura limitata o esemplari unici.

Con testi e immagini. Oppure immagini senza testi.

Il luogo, Scuola Statale d'Arte, Roma, Italia.

Since 1980 there is an educational project "Art
to the book. "
They are creator and preserver of all
materials produced.
The books were made in all
sections of the School of Arts.
Paper, ceramics, metal, wood, clay and
various materials combined.
Books printed in limited edition or
individual pieces.
With texts and images. Or without images
texts.
The site, State School of Art, Rome,
Italy.
The Editor:
alfonsofilieri.com
for the education section:
operalibro.it

The Editor:

alfonsofilieri.com
for the education section:
operalibro.it

 

[Rebekah Modrak]

Hi Jim,

 

There's an archive of projects for students on my website http://www.reframingphotography.com

Go to "Teaching Tools" and a few of the projects in the "Reframing Photography Projects" section involve book arts.

I'd love to post more projects. If you'd like to share any of yours for the "Archive of Projects" section, you can contact me via the website.

 

all the best,

Rebekah

[Sarah Clark]

Sarah

 

 

Hi there,

Just a thought. You may be interested in getting involved in the Collective Atlas project. It is listed on this site or go to www.somethinkcollective.blogspot.com. We are always looking for more contributions and it would work for either of your semesters I feel.

Many thanks,

 

Sarah