What is a Book?

The Future of the Book

2006-06-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

The book in all its present day forms will continue to have a strong foundation in the technology enriched society of the western world. The comfort it provides for both scholar and child is the reason this object has such a powerful presence in our lives. The book (the physical kind) in relation to its electronic counterparts, still provides all that is currently needed by our society. This being said, a great leap forward in technology is all that is needed to alter an objects relevance to its society.

I believe the future of the book in its present form has not yet lost its status as a source of civility in human kind. The Digitial age brings with it new technology, but the simpliity of the written word, complied on paper, bound together in a portable state has endless possiblites.

Final Journal Entry:
After completion of this subject Art and Books, I feel I am able to competently discuss various aspects of ‘books’. The terms ‘illustrated book’, ‘artists’ book’ and ‘book like object’ had little known meanings for me, now I am able to distinguish between these and explore the styles of each further. Overall I feel that I have learnt a lot, from the relationships between form and content, to the relationship of image and text, particularly within the children’s illustrated book.

The evolution of the book and particular episodes of book design is one aspect of the course I would like to explore more. I need to learn more about the illuminated manuscripts we studied in the session, as this was an aspect of the course I feel I didn’t study enough.

The world of the book arts has fascinated me, the scope and depth of options seems endless. The physical aspects of book design are sure to become part of my repertoire. If anything this subject has taught me that books are not simply a place to escape, or an excellent source of information but they are beautiful objects, that will no doubt continue to stand the test of time.

NEW MEDIA ART

2006-06-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

NEW MEDIA ART

A few definitions:

Hypertext – a form of non-sequential writing, in which chunks of information are linked together so that the reader can navigate the information in a non-linear fashion.

Hypermedia – an extension of hypertext, to incorporate images, sounds, animation and videos, linked together in a non-linear fashion.

I love the idea of a ‘memex’ if only it would be designed sooner rather than later (Bush was very early with his ideas, 1945, very progressive thinking). The exploration of these types of ideas have been translated into Science fiction; a screen with multi-layered data, controlled by an operator linked together by a few common ideas, as the need for a new path begins another new layer of information emerges. The data base which the operator can pull this information from is huge. The World Wide Web, is becoming more like a memex but it still lacks an organic approach to data retrieval, the need to use the mechanics of the human brain.

This may well be the future of record keeping: a maze of synthetic brain-like computers wired up with links which continue to link and so on and so on and so on, until all the records kept on all the information of the civilized/not so civilized human knows. This information could than be triggered into action at any moment by a thought or a question, so that the information needed can be retrieved and used in an instant. The rapidly moving technology of the hypermedia age might emerge as a productive and positive tool for humankind, but it still might be a way off. Keeping up with this technology is difficult enough, but lose power (that is electricity) and the information is lost. I don't know what use CDs would have without computers: fisbees, scales for a sculptured fish, a plate or maybe a sun reflector to send messages!

I saw an exhibition recently of new media art, it contained a work by Matt Gardiner called Oribotics [atom generation], 2005. A darkened room was filled with illuminated ‘flowers’.

“Oribotics is a hybrid field that embraces folding and technology. As origami means fold/ing paper, the term Oribot, means fold/ing robot. At Present my research is engaged with works that have lifelike qualities, plants and in particular flowers.” Gradiner 2006.

The 2005 (Atom Generation) oribotic flowers respond to changing light levels, and can be networked with light from data projectors to reflect the status of weather from cities around the world. The moving ‘flowers' for me where like books, opening and closing, the leaf structures, and paper qualities were a pleasure to be around. I hope to see more of these sorts of exhibitions.

For more information check out www.ozco.gov.au/newmediaarts.

Artists' Books

2006-05-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have completed three books for this subject, but with many more planned, I like book arts.
A folded book can become a sculpture. This is a form of an altered book, and what I would consider an artists' book. The different techniques are endless.

always find home, 2006
Rachel Piercy
found atlas, one page missing

I made this tunnel book in an afternoon, a lot of thought went into it, though the actual process was very quick. My inspiration came from the children's book, Can you Catch a Mermaid? By Jane Ray.

Mermaid, 2006

Rachel Piercy

Mixed media, paper tunnel book

Book making , and binding is something that I would like to learn more about, this is one aspect that I will need to do more research on later. But I have found this topic very interesting.

The exploration of this topic, could become a whole subject not just a two week topic. My interest in paper, printmaking, books and text, have helped in finding resources for this topic. I have been able to view some artists’ books in the ‘flesh’ and I have engaged in the processes involved in making an artists’ book. I have on order Johanna Drucker’s book The Century of Artists’ Books, because I feel I would like to explore this topic further.

The structural basis of a book is familiar and has universal appeal.

The category of ‘picture books for adults’ is an interesting one, I found a book which would fit into this book art style. Gruido Crepax, a comic book artist, in the unusual sense of the word, as he does not use the traditional formula of comic books. His images are often from innovative viewpoints, a style which incorporates camera-like angles; this is not the only changes Crepax makes, for his works often contain disjunctive narratives. The image is the main place of thought; the verbal logic of speech and thought no longer exists. As his good friend Umberto Eco suggested “You draw beautifully, but you should find an author to write your stories.” Rather than finding a story teller, Crepax enjoys this difference in style, and revels in the fact he has few followers. Is work is erotic, yet beautiful, shocking but still the viewer pours over the work looking for hidden meanings.

“My drawings are sometimes lascivious but never vulgar” Guido Crepax

Learning about BLOGGER

2006-05-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Part of this weeks learning

has come from having more time

to invesitage and explore the blogger web site.

I am finally learning how to use this blogger site, such as font features SIZE and Colour options!

placing TEXT

here and there

anywhere.

The options are now becoming apparent.

Text and Images can become one, or many,

the relationship

between them is important.

Text can be as visually stimulating as images.

A range of options to choose from this can be a fun way to interest the reader.

Children's Books and the Art of the Comic

2006-05-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Reading other students comic book investigations got me thinking. I thought I would intergrate it into my study of Illustrated children’s books.

I came across a side of May Gibbs that I had not before known about; her work as a cartoonist. May Gibbs work created a unique response to the Australian bushland, one that was to extend a rich national mythology. Gibbs’ work came in the form of a comic strip in 1925 when “Bib and Bub” was first published in the Sunday News, in the European comic-strip format, the text being placed beneath each panel.

World War II is referenced in this later "Bib and Bub" strip from the early 1940's.

The pioneer of the Australian comic strip was Stan Cross, an American-born Australian, whose comic strip “You and Me” (later to be called “The Potts”) was printed in the Smith’s Weekly, 1919. Soon other cartoonists followed, Jim Banks in 1921 supplied “Us Fellers” (later to become “Ginger Meggs”) to the Sydney Sun. Syd Nicholls followed with a strip for the Sunday News, in 1923 “Fat and his Friends” (later to become the children’s favourite “Fatty Finn”)

The illustrations of May Gibbs were accompanied by verse, all which rhymed. The series of Bib and Bub was so popular that they were to continue to appear for another 40 years.

I have found quite a few children’s books which look like comic books, while studying this topic. A modern story in the style of comics is Dav Pilkey and his creation of The Captain Underpants Series. The web site is very informative, and the books are fun too!

The amazing thing that has become apparent in studying Children’s books is the fact that today the range of styles and methods of reproduction has lifted the lid on book illustration. An example of these new techniques is Australian author/illustrator Jeannie Baker. Baker’s works are extraordinary recreations of the Australian bush, using collage techniques and telling stories about the need to preserve our environment. The publishing industry have whole sections devoted to children’s books, this may indicated that children today in our society have a lot of buying power. This comes back to a point I had been thinking about earlier, how does the image on the front cover and the presentation of a book influence its purchase? The old saying: ‘never judge a book by its cover’ may not be so relevant in the marketing word of books, which is massive. I went to the second hand shop, and found 10 great old books, for 20 cents each, all had plain linen or leather binding, some of the spines have decoration incorporated into the title of the books, but none of them had covers that I would call modern. Another aspect of difference between today’s books and the ones I have found, is that the earlier ones, don’t have a publishing date, there is no date any where in sight. How old are these books? The design principles of the inside of the books had not yet been translated to the outside cover. I have not discovered when this change occurred but I need to find out more. I just re-read “the Book: Its Visual Appearance’ By Febvre in the Coming of the Book: The Impact of Printing 1450-1800. It clears up a few issues that by the 18th and 19th Centuries: the spines of books became the most important part as books began to be stored upright, in a book case, close together; an increase in cost and production left the covers plain; and the invention of the steam press and paper making machinery books were printed more cheaply and quickly. These points do not explain what has happened this century to alter the importance of a books cover, from simple binding to elaborate design styles. I need to research these aspects of books more.

Children’s book story time at the Local library.

As part of this topic I went along to the local library to see a story telling session. This was a great experience to watch some one else and how they ‘read’ a children’s book. The importance of the use of expression and the engagement of the children in the story was just as important as the visual look of the story and the words being spoken. The story that was read We’re going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (first published in 1989, and Winner of the Smarties Book Prize). The librarian by the second reading of the chorus:

We’re going on a bear hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.

had all of the children joining in. The chorus is followed by a verse describing an obstacle that the family has come across, for example:

Uh-uh! Grass!
Long Wavy grass.
We can’t go over it.
We can’t go under it.

Oh no!
We’ve got to go through it!

The children at this point would be beaming with excitement at what type of noise words would follow, Swishy Swashy! for grass, Squelch squerch! for mud, and Hoooo wooo! for a snow storm. The repetition in this book made it ideal to keep the children engaged and listening, while leaving them excited and waiting with anticipation.

This experience has left me realizing that some stories are better to read be aloud to a group while others are best left for silent or private reading. The key for a good book to be read to a small group of children is: that is has engaging pictures, it creates an opportunity for the children to play a part in the story ( by preempting what is going to be said next) and that the reader be willing to use an expressive voice and visual acknowledgment with the children (that is eye-contact!).

I have enjoyed this topic and found a lot of information and discovered facts that I didn’t already know. With the help of technology in the field of publishing, and the increase in the importance of children’s books, the illustrated children’s book looks to have a strong future.

Children's Illustrated Books

2006-05-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Mr Dahl
Roald Dahl (1916-1990)
Life Motto

“My Candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night
But ah my foes and oh my friends
It gives a lovely light”

A positive relationship between author and illustrator is extremely vital in the world of children’s books. Some times these relationships become so important it is difficult to imagine an author’s work without a particular illustrator. An example of this is Roald Dahl (author) and Quentine Blake (illustrator), Blakes simple rough line drawings with a splash of colour for the cover, line, shading and wash inside the books is wonderful. I may be wrong but I get the feeling that both the artists, have (or had, I remember the day I heard Roald had died, I was in year 10, he was one of my most favourite writers) a great deal of input into their work.

Another author/illustrator is Andy Griffths (author) and Terry Denton (illustrator), again the pictures are cartoon like, simple in style but successful in translating an enormous amount of what is being said, in the story. My son’s favourite author is Andy Griffths, in particular his book The Bad Book. This work was fairly controversial work as it was banned in some libraries in Australian private schools. Inside the first page this warning states:

WARNING!

This book
contains nothing
but bad stories,
bad drawings,
bad poems,
bad cartoons,
and bad riddles
about bad characters doing bad things.
It is a
very,
very,
very,
very,
very,
very,
very,
very,
very,
very
bad
book.

For my 8 year old son, this was all he needed to grab the book and move on. Visually the book moves from text to illustration, merging the two, and using the text visually. This was a story book for him, it was gross, funny and a bit naughty, it was as if Andy Griffths had made it just for him. The strange and amazing thing is that other 8 year old boys are going to miss out on the fun because of censorship. I was glad to see our local school had it in their collection.

Art is Work

2006-05-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

This is another slant of What is art? This time from that most influential designer Milton Glaser, enjoy...

If one of the definitions we have concerning art is that it serves its public by reflecting and explaining the world at a particular moment in history, it is hard to believe that design does not serve in a similar way. In any case, the issue has become blurred since art currently seems mostly about money, and designers seem to be increasingly concerned about ethics, the environment, and their effect on the world. There seems to be much confusion about what we mean when we use the word art. I have a recommendation. We eliminate the word art and replace it with work and develop the following descriptions:

1. Work that goes beyond its functional intention and moves us in deep and mysterious ways we call great work.
2. Work that is conceived and executed with elegance and rigor we call good work.
3. Work that meets its intended need honestly and without pretense we simply call work.
4. Everything else, the sad and shoddy stuff of daily life, can come under the heading of bad work.

This simple change will elimeinate anxiety for thousands of people who worry about whether thay are artits or not, but this is not its most significant concequence. More importantly, it can restore art to a central, useful activity in daily life - something for which we have been waiting for a very long time.

Milton Glaser

Art is Work
Thames & Hudson 2000

This is a birthday post, its my Birthday!

Study Environment - Is it important?

2006-05-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conlcusion that my study environment is too small!!!! I have always had enough space to work with two subjects but this semester has been hard, with three subjects. The plan to help improve my learning for the remainder of this subject is to clean up my office. it has had a tough time especially with the hands on approach I have taken with this subject, i.e. engaging in the book making sections of the subject.

My OFFICE at its WORST!

Too much stuff, too little space!

Off to clean it up!

All Clean, it does make a difference.

USING WHAT I HAVE LEARNT

I will be doing a childrens book workshop - making Tunnel Books at the Manning Regional Gallery in the school holidays (exact times and dates to be decided). This should be great, I have had children's workshops before in 3D sculpture and printmaking, but book making activities seem endless, tunnel books will be just the beginning. I have learnt so much in this course I can't wait to pass it on.

Children's Books - the illustrated kind

2006-05-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

STORY BOOK VERSES PICTURE BOOK

A story book is a book which can be understood by the words alone, these books are common for older readers (9 and up) and include authors such as Andy Griffiths, Rowling, Enid Blyton, older stories by Roald Dahl. The books will often have an illustrated front cover (to entice the buyer), and sometimes a small selection of pictures throughout the story, but these are simply fill, they are not need for an understanding of the story.

A Picture Book needs the pictures to tell the story, some picture books have no words at all, like the French author Gabrielle Vincent's beautifully simple picture books about the lives of Ernst and Celestine, a large bear and small mouse personified, depicting the everyday troubles and joys of a child-parent relationship. Stories such as "Breakfast Time, Ernest and Celestine" Published by Julia MacRae Books are wonderful because each time you read the book the story changes slightly.

I have been reading the resourses for this topic and found it interesting that the world of children's book has a unique language. I found Joseph Schwarcz's article on the relationship between text and illustration very interesting. Concepts such as pictorial devices, creative script and spatial relationships have begun to have a greater influence on the standard children book of today.

While reading and listing the various styles and types of picture books I have been looking through my own collection of children's books, looking at how these fit into certain categories. I have also made a few observations about children's illustrated books, and what makes them 'sucessful' in terms of child enjoyment. Some books which I purchase, simply by the look of them are read once and then discarded. Other books which I think will have little appeal the children love. The first citera to a good story is it must be credible, that is , it must have a flow that the children will engage with. Stephen Micheal King's Book 'Henry and Amy' is a very credible story, it has real characters, with real feelings, fears, hopes, imagination and creativity. The illustrations add to the story, in a lyical and fun way. It was on the short list of The Children's Book Council of Australia, which is always helpful when purchasing books.

This is an interesting aspect of Children Book Publishing, how do you market a book which is for children, but which is bought by adults? A very informative and indepth web site is the Allen & Unwin Publishing firm
http://www.allen-unwin.com.au
The web site has a lot of resources available with regard not only to children's books but all sorts of books.

What is Art?

2006-04-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

This has been a great question for me in terms of my own under standing of what art is. I have been studying Art for over 15 years now, informally and formally, and feel I am beginning to grasp the wider concepts from a variety of sources. The discussion on the forum for this subject has been good, although I feel envious of the students on campus sometimes.

The question of what is Art? in contemporary terms is anything. This may sound like a non definition but in the realms of Art History and the forms it has taken, art is an essential part of our human society, it in essence must be made. The commodifcation of Art is simply a secondary effect of the production of art. Artists become great not through the attempt at being great but through the need to produce art work, in what ever form they consider to be art. The creative impulses of artists' can come to the fore through any number of mediums and for many reasons, through their need to express emotions, religion, politics, racical issues, social issues, to represent a place or to represent a theory. The support systems of artists such as Galleries, Art Dealers, Patrons, and the public, have ensured Artists to be promoted, and kept as a prominent display of the greatness of particualar societies world wide and history wide.

All the points that were made in other postings on the forum are very valid, art is in the eye of the beholder, it is here to chanallenge audiences, and it depends on the context it is received. I am still struggling with the concept that art is art purely as its own concept, with none of the extras that come with art. Joseph Beuys made the famous comment that anyone can be an Artist, and Andy Warhol stated that in the future everyone will be Artists with their own 15 minutes of fame. Will Art ever stop breaking boundaries?

'Art' only becomes if an Art Dealer, Gallery, Art Critic or Artist says it is art. The publics reaction to this art and the medias coverage alters the concept of art again. An illustration in a book is simply that, it is not art merely because it is a visual representation. An advertisment in a magazine is another example of some thing that can be art if it is shown in different circumstances. If you are to but a frame around an image hang it in an Art gallery, call it art then it is art. Objects from different times or cultures where once seen as anthropology relics such as a woven basket from TI, now those same products are being shown in the MCA as contemporary art.

As too Duchamp, R.Mutt entered a presitgious New York Art prize claiming that all Artists' works would be displayed, without judgment or control. Duchamp knew he was able to upset the establishment, it would have been controversal either way if it was displayed or if it was not shown as it happened. He was the first to do something , another an important aspect of art.

The function of art is not only beauty (but to at different times and for different movements this was the function of art), and at times it is simply a matter of an artist being in the right place at the right time. I just read an article in the SMH about the CIA and its support of the Arts in America during the Cold War. The American Government wanted to show the Russians that they were able to have an all American art form, and what was to appear but Abstract Expressionism! Not at all dissimilar to the Medici during the 15th Century, promote the arts and become all powerful!

Rural Life and the Distant Ed Student

2006-04-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Having previously studied the English Arts and Craft Movement (which I found to be extremely conservative) although only briefly, re-visiting the topic from a different perspective has shed new light on the subject. William Morris and his beautiful Kelmscott press is an interesting turn of events for the book form, what would have happened if his interest had been directed else where. Book design today may not have been the same. I NEED TO EXPLORE THIS ASPECT OF DESIGN MORE!!!!

There are several web pages on the subject, but this form of research is becoming tedious, and sometimes all together unfruitful. As a rural student, studying in a small country town, access to a large quantity of published literature is very difficult. The extent of the local Tafe library art books, even though it has a large Art department, selection is poor. The local Taree library is even worse!!!!!

As a member of the local Gallery the Manning Regional Art Gallery, and with the help of the Director and her assistant I have access not only to books but also to some very competent artists, critics, and art dealers. This has helped me a lot in this quest for knowledge as Jane (the Gallery Assistant) has helped me in many an interesting task, such as locating some art work or artist, on the internet or through various art mags. Once a month exhibitions change which mean I can be involved in the hanging of all sorts of art works. This hands on approach helps a lot!

I regularly try to go to Sydney to see the current exhibitions at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the NSW Art Gallery. The most recent visit to Sydney was to see the 2006 Archibald prize winner, and generally immerse myself in the Art world for a day. This was achieved (loved the 2006 Photographic Portrait Prize) although a week would have been better, back to the country for me. If any one is in Sydney check them all out!

So while I feel I am learning a lot from my readings, investigations, thoughts and discussions, the extra facilities of learning in a big city are definitely missing.

The Introduction of Printing

2006-04-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Printed books took over the manuscript’s 1000 year reign due to a number of factors: Technology (paper production and printing presses, Johannes Gutenberg and his adaptation of the moveable type press), demand of the written word, and increased literacy rates among the masses. Block books (woods and images are made on a single wood block plate) were widely used in the east, and then moved to Europe, bringing with them new techniques and materials.

At first the printed books resembled manuscripts but over time began to change due to: a complex system of publishers and publishing houses, the need to produce lots of printed books for the masses, design techniques and technology.

This is a simple over view. An invaluable resource that I have used is my copy of The Complete Printmaker Techniques/Traditions/Innovations by John Ross, Clare Romano and Tim Ross (published by The Free Press 1990). It not only contains the information required to carry out printmaking techniques it also has a comprehensive history of the printed illustration. This would be an ideal book for any one studying Art and Books.

I have found this topic like going over familiar territory. As a printmaker I regularly use both relief and intaglio techniques (sometimes combing the two or printing an intaglio plate as a relief plate) such as:
Dry point on zinc plates (leaves a lasting impression on the plate and can be printed hundreds of times), or cheap thick plastic (the image an only be printed about 15 times before the burr softens) depending on the budget!
Collograph plates made from cardboard paper glue, anything, just like a collage and then sealed and used as either an intaglio plate or a relief plate.
Solar plates are a favorite (the plates I have were originally used to print the Sydney Morning Hearld, they are large but damaged, the damage marks create lovely textures and tones), the ink needed for printing is slippery and smooth.

I understand the way a plate is printed and how this can affect the final image, the processes involved are complicated and step driven, one procedure must follow another other wise the image will not turn out. Printmaking is an art form which is returning to the main stream and becoming more popular. I viewed the Art Express Exhibition at the Art Gallery at NSW recently and couldn’t help but notice the amount of printed works or works which used books in them. May be there is a resurgence of a particular art form when it is being threatened by new technology?

PAPER

2006-03-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

Ts'ai Lun, a Chinese eunuch in the court of Ho-ti in the year A.D. 105 used bits of waste fabric, tree bark, old rags, and even fish nets to produce the first sheets of true paper, that is paper as we would recognise it today. The handmade paper techniques used in Japan and China are still used today, the Kozo (paper made from mulberry trees) declares its quality by how much of the bark (little flecks of black)is left in the pulp, the less flecks the higher the quality. The same techniques are used by contemporary Maori's in New Zealand today.

When paper made it to Europe they used different materials and techniques from that of the Orient. Cotton and rags were used to make a pulp, and once made, the sheets of paper were sized with an animal based gelatin. This resulted in a tough, opaque paper which could with stand the harsh scribes quill. In contrast, Oriental paper is soft, translucent, never used on both sides and readily accepting the calligrapher's brushstrokes.

Obviously over time European paper has become more soft and workable. My favourite paper Fabriano comes form Fabriano Italy, the place of the first Italian paper mill, established in 1276. A high quality 200gm 100% rag paper with a smooth creamy finish is a dream to work with.

A interesting book artist who uses a variety of different papers
is Rebecca Milner. Books can be "read" in a variety of ways, Milner uses the form to make the viewer 'read' a 'shape'. The work Migration consisting of 500 handmade books of Fabriano Ingres paper, sewn on raised cards with linen threads. It is about predestination of behaviour. Wildebeest have to travel to find food and water and Migration reveals the preordained plan - the books show map lines depicting the routes of the animals, just as the veins in the animals' bodies carry the message that impels them to act. The form of the piece gives the moving shape of the herd; the structure of each book evokes each animal. The piece as a whole challenges the viewer to think about how much of human and animal behaviour is preplanned. As Milner suggests:
"In the work I have adapted the role of the Book, which has traditionally sought to enlighten readers, to symbolize the instinctive Knowledge held by Wildebeest. It is this knowledge which enables them to make their journeys generation after generation, knowledge which is inaccessible to humans"

The Printed Book

2006-03-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

Printed books took over from the manuscript's 1000 year reign due to a number of factors:

technology (paper production and printing presses)
demand of the written word
increased literacy rates amoung the masses

Printed books also helped change the relationship of illustration and text within books. Block Books (text and images are made on a single wood block)were the first printed books in both the East and the West. The Diamond Sutra a central text of Indian Buddhism is the earliest known example of block printing and bears the date: "the 13th of the Fourth moon of the ninth year of Xiantong" (that is the 11 May 868). It is held in the British Library and highlights the fact that Oriental culture was well in the process of exploring print techniques before Europeans began.

The availability of paper in Europe made the next stage of printing - movable type - more common. At first Printed books resembled manuscripts but over time ( this process took 100's of years) they were to change, font, format, identification methods, illustrations, and the over all visual appearance of the book so as to be recognised in their own right.

The printed book has come in many forms and guises, now approximately 500 years later is beginning to rapidly change again due to technology (i.e. the internet and digital technology). This has made me think of what it would have been like in the fifteenth Century. Did the Manuscript scribes shudder at the prospect of printed books? Were illustrators confronted with the need to learn new techniques such as wood block prints, to keep their jobs? Was it a dramatic change or was it simply over looked as progress. Did everyone just get on with it, as we are today? Or was it too slow a change to make a great impact on the lives of everyday people?

I shudder at electronic storage devices calling themselves books, but my children relish in them, pick them up and instantly are able to operate them. These first electronic books look like books, that is they use a combination of traditional codex form with electronic mediums. This was the similar technique used with the first printed books to look like manuscripts. It is a clever way to create an acceptance of the new form. Once the new form is seen as 'just as good' or even better, the process of change can be completed.

I learnt that the term incunabula refers to books printed before 1500. The books printed after 1500 show a greater range of changes from the manuscript form.

Some variation of text and images include:

Printed Text with decoration printed together (wood block print)
Printed Text with illustration printed together (wood block print)
Engravings printed on the same page as text, which means at this time each page went through the printing press twice.
Printed texts with hand drawn decorations or illustrations.

I am off to the NSW Library on the weekend, so I hope I will be able to explore some early works.

Illuminated Manuscripts

2006-03-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

Manuscript means literally Âwritten by handÂ. Medieval manuscripts mean the books produced by hand in Europe between about the fifth century and the Renaissance of the late fifteenth century. The beginning of manuscript production was due to the change from scroll use to the traditional codex form. The move from the papyrus leaves as pages to vellum/parchment (the skin of young animals soaked in a lime solution, for up to 10 days, stretched and then scraped with a lunellarium circular knife, and finally finished using a burnishing technique with pumice) meant that a book could be used as a book, that is, its pages could be turned often without fear of damage to the codex. The Illumination title attached to so many manuscripts may come from two reasons: the words they contained or the gold leaf which was applied to illustrations and create a luminous vision.

The styles and types of manuscripts vary from culture to culture. Some such as the Book of KellsC(c. 800AD) currently on display in the Trinity College Library, Dublin are famous around the world, in pristine order and hold a certain amount of ore among the converted. It is an Insular Gospel Book, a manuscript created in either Iona, Scotland or another related Irish Monastery. Most likely the manuscript was created for use on a churches alter, a method used to help impress upon the congregation the splendor of the written word of God. Not unlike stained glass windows, and their effects on the masses.

Religion played the largest role, in the creation of manuscripts in the period of 1000 years (500 years more than the printed book). Bibles, daily prayer books, the Book of Hours, Psalters to name but a few, were created with the purpose of devotion. These works were mostly expensive, although the common prayer book for individual use would have been less expensive. There were many secular manuscripts as well. Other types of manuscripts included text books, musical notation books, herbals and maybe the odd literature book (mainly in the later medieval period), or a book written in the vernacular or common language designed for interest.

The British Library holds several famous manuscripts and has been a useful tool in looking at manuscripts. The Turning the Page section is especially brilliant.

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/homepage.html

An interesting manuscript which I have come across in my studies is the ÂJulius Work CalendarÂ which was produced in a writing studio of Canterbury Cathedral some time around AD 1020. The document was retrieved by a seventh-century book collector Sir Robert Cotton following King Henry the VIIIÂs dissolution of the Monasteries. The book is simple in nature; twelve months on twelve pages, each sheet headed with the name of that particular month and the sign of the zodiac. Its purpose was religious in nature, to list all 365 days of the year, and remind a young monk of the high and holy days to be celebrated in church for the year. It not only has a contemporary lay out but also a similar contemporary equal: the wall calendar.

The ink used in England in 1000AD was called Encaustum, a liquid made from the dried sap of the Oak Tree left by insect attack, which was then mixed with vinegar or water, thickened with gum arabic and had iron salts added for colour. The term comes form the Latin word caustere, Âto biteÂ because it literally bit into the parchment. monasteriesastries writing studios Monks would have been seated in front of two writing stands, one which contained the work to be copied the other with the blank pagescriptedscribed.

This topic has been like walking into another world that I had very little knowledge of. I feel I have discovered quite a bit, but also I have been a little turned off manuscripts, due to their use of animal skins. Paper to me has always been an inspiration, one that can be reused, recycled, manipulated to any form. Not one that was created using born and unborn animal skins. The need for these works were essential in the education of the masses, although what they were being taught, was some thing I would question.

I have completed a lot of research on the effects of the Environmental conditions manuscripts and older documents have been kept in. The library students doing the course have a wealth of information.

Stained Glass Windows

2006-03-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

Are stained glass windows books?
They are used to tell a story, retain important information, used as a visual record for future generations. They did not have spines or pages but panels and sections.

An interesting quote form the 13th Century, made by Willam Durandus, Bishop of Mende

The glass windows in a church are Holy Scriptures, which expel the wind and the rain, that is, all things hurtful, but transmit the light of the True Sun, that is God, in to the heart of the faithful.

In the 13th Century the layman would not have been able to read, the stained glass windows would have been a powerful tool for the Bishops of the time. They were able to tell the stories of the bible and kept the congregation faithful.

It is important to view objects in relation to their particular time. Taken out of context an object which does not have much relevance today for the common man, in its own time was a vital link for information.

Bookness

2006-03-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

The more book-like qualities an object has the more it can be said it has a lot of bookness.
spine
pages
cover front and back
text
illustrations
tell a story
give instructions
visual record for future generations
an artists' book
a blank journal
portability
Will add more over time

Weekly Journal: First post!

2006-02-27T18:24:00.000-08:00

The initial question What is a Book? caused me to respond with what a book isn't. A book isn't a road sign, a text message, banners or posters, pictures on a wall, or a bank statement, to mention a few. That is, these objects are not books when in their original purpose is taken into account and they are in their original context. Change the purpose or delivery and any of those objects could become a leaf within a book, or an e-book contained on the Internet. Is this Blog a book?

My first definition of a book:

A useful tool made from a variety of materials, both real and virtual, containing either/or words and pictures, illustrations, blank pages, photo's or a combination of all. Books can impart knowledge, give instructions, create a fantasy world, tell a story or simply be a collection of unrelated items. The definition of a book changes over time, as too does the physical structure, from ancient rock paintings (did Koori's see these as books?), to scrolls, to bound books to the virtual world of computer technology.

Does the book have to be portable? A question I will get back to.

I asked friends and family to give me a definition of what a book is, with a variety of responses, most initially related to the books form, the traditional codex form consisting of regular sized, individual sheets of paper bound together with a protective cover. My elderly Grandma mentioned the wonderful manuscripts such as the Book of Kells she had seen in her many pilgrimages to Europe, and she also showed me the old family bible, these prominent books had a higher status for my Grandmother than my own love for children's books, or my husbands love of comics (which has continued to adulthood!). The relationship a person has with reading also alters their want of certain books. My brother accumulates car magazines, much to his wife's dismay, but these are his books. The quality and style is all in person taste.

Books, are one of the major possessions we hang on to within our own lives and in the greater concept of society. It is not surprising that old and ancient books, have been retained while the architecture that contained them has long been in ruins.

In researching this subject so far I have found a wonderful program on ABC Radio National, The Book Show. Weekdays 10am, Sunday at 7.10pm and resented by Ramona Koval. I already have 5 books on the must purchase list!

I remember the fear of book lovers and the exuberance of tech heads when the internet first started to get off the ground about 12 years ago, that this will be the death of books as we know it. This does not seem to be the case, book publishing houses are still going strong and I, an avid book reader I am still to read a single book on-line. I would like to explore this more, e-books, for they may well change the future for next generations, but for me I love the feel, smell and visual qualities of books. Certainly the storing capacities of computers have begun to alter libraries, but as the photograph seemingly threatened painting, I feel the internet may change the future of books but not the dire consquences that were first predicted.

On the fun side of books is the discovery of the variety of easy, and some not so easy ways, to make handmade books: tunnel books, concertina books, traditional printmenking techniques (printing books of up to 32 pages on the one sheets of paper), pop-up books (Ed Hutchins' "castle" books sound great, will try one on the weekend) and there are are all the techniques to bind books.

The history of books has been fascinating to read and over the course I'm sure this understanding will become clearer.