I had a plan,
this morning,
to examine
form and function
as they relate to the book form.
this morning,
to examine
form and function
as they relate to the book form.
 Four Selvedge Tapestries in side-by-side progress. Each 2.5" x 2" |  Four selvedge Tapestry Book Covers; Kami-ito; hand spun used coffee filter; hand spun variable annuity pages; indigo ; 2.5" x 2"; |  Tapestry Sketchbook; two needle Coptic binding; BFK Rives lightweight printmaking paper; handspun linen thread; |
Snazzy topic, eh?
I pretty much impressed myself when I thought of it.
Not that I have the language or training for such a discussion,
but it has been on my mind.
After all, I've been building and binding little tapestry books,
putting the final touches on set of a PDF instructions,
and sending paper instruction/story zines around the world,
so it's hard not to wonder
as I choose a design for each--
why this --why that?
I pretty much impressed myself when I thought of it.
Not that I have the language or training for such a discussion,
but it has been on my mind.
After all, I've been building and binding little tapestry books,
putting the final touches on set of a PDF instructions,
and sending paper instruction/story zines around the world,
so it's hard not to wonder
as I choose a design for each--
why this --why that?
I also read other people's books every day--
mostly the kind I can hold in my hand,
though sometimes those of the e-reader variety.
mostly the kind I can hold in my hand,
though sometimes those of the e-reader variety.
And I have yards of reference books.
How different then, are my feelings
about books I read for their stories,
How different then, are my feelings
about books I read for their stories,
Tapestry Cartoon, never woven; graphite on paper; 18" x 24"
and those I open to a specific page to learn something?
Needlepoint Book Bag (back); hand spun wool; natural dye; cotton canvas
In what ways do I relate to
books I've written (but not designed),
books I've written (but not designed),
Kids Weaving -- published in 2005. Now out of print but copies can be found!
differently from books I've designed and made?
Flora; Needlepoint Book; hand spun wool; natural dye; cotton canvas, cotton fabric
What about books I'm in--
if long ago when my hair was still dark
if long ago when my hair was still dark
 First published in 1996, Knitting in America by Melanie Falick, is now known as "America Knits" . Click the photo above for a link. |  |
and books that are in me--
often so demanding
that I have to create imaginary shelves
in which to house them.
often so demanding
that I have to create imaginary shelves
in which to house them.
Bluestocking (detail); egg tempera on gessoed board; 24" x 18"
Bluestocking; egg tempera on gessoed board; 24" x 18" 2005
In addition, there are books I listen to,
as stories read aloud
and as part of insightful discussions.
as stories read aloud
and as part of insightful discussions.
Then there are books that act as muse--
On A Lily; egg tempera on gessoed board; 10" x 8" 2005
as vehicles for transport,
Egg Tempera on gessoed board; 20" x 24" 2006
as objects in a still life.
And (she wails)
what about the midcentury feminine middlebrow
my favorite book category of all ?
And (she wails)
what about the midcentury feminine middlebrow
my favorite book category of all ?
Lincoln Blue; hand woven tapestry; 18" x 24"; hand spun wool warp and weft; indigo; ©Sarah C. Swett 2003
My plan,
made early this morning while lying in bed
and thinking this up,
was to illustrate my as yet undiscovered
but undoubtedly insightful thoughts
on these pressing questions
with a few images of the books
I've drawn, painted, woven and built over the years.
It seemed a reasonable approach at the time.
Of course I hadn't yet had any tea.
made early this morning while lying in bed
and thinking this up,
was to illustrate my as yet undiscovered
but undoubtedly insightful thoughts
on these pressing questions
with a few images of the books
I've drawn, painted, woven and built over the years.
It seemed a reasonable approach at the time.
Of course I hadn't yet had any tea.
Escape Literature; hand woven tapestry; 60" x 48"; hand spun wool warp and weft; natural dyes; ©Sarah C. Swett 2002
Alas, once I got going,
three things happened.
First: a visit to the bowels of my computer
unearthed a crazy number of images,
each of which stirred up all kinds of distracting memories.
three things happened.
First: a visit to the bowels of my computer
unearthed a crazy number of images,
each of which stirred up all kinds of distracting memories.
Two Recipes for Coffee Cake; hand woven tapestry; 48" x 24"; wool, natural dye ©Sarah C. Swett 2007
Second: after devoting a good many of the subsequent hours
to tying myself in letter-ridden knots,
I remembered that I am not an academic
and really don't have the language for such a discussion.
to tying myself in letter-ridden knots,
I remembered that I am not an academic
and really don't have the language for such a discussion.
Pen and Ink; hand woven tapestry; 18" x 18"; wool, natural dye ©Sarah C. Swett 2007
Third: when I decided to untangle
and rewrite one of those knots,
(heaven knows how),
the Weebly blog app,
in its wisdom,
deleted every word I'd written thus far--
for which action
I can only feel tremendous gratitude
(as, no doubt, should you).
and rewrite one of those knots,
(heaven knows how),
the Weebly blog app,
in its wisdom,
deleted every word I'd written thus far--
for which action
I can only feel tremendous gratitude
(as, no doubt, should you).
Three Tapestry Sketchbooks in a Tapestry Box; four selvedge tapestry; coptic binding; flax, coffee filters, indigo, plastic bag, various papers; 2018/19
So here I am at the end,
bowing to the wisdom of bits and bytes,
shelving the whole idea of codex deconstruction,
and leaving you with this:
Books are the best, right?
bowing to the wisdom of bits and bytes,
shelving the whole idea of codex deconstruction,
and leaving you with this:
Books are the best, right?
ps. Next Day Edit -- I've been asked about instructions for the wee blocky books, and all I can say is that, while I'm pretty comfy with weaving the tapestry covers, I'm still learning about paper and binding etc, so here are a couple of links to help further
--HERE is where I learned the two needle coptic binding.
---Keith Smith's books -- Volume 1 of Non-adhesive binding; Books Without Paste or Glue--where I learned the curved needle coptic binding I've used up till the ones in this post,
--Velma Bolyard has also shared an enormous amount of book and paper related info, particularly information of kami-ito and shifu (spun and woven paper)
--HERE is where I learned the two needle coptic binding.
---Keith Smith's books -- Volume 1 of Non-adhesive binding; Books Without Paste or Glue--where I learned the curved needle coptic binding I've used up till the ones in this post,
--Velma Bolyard has also shared an enormous amount of book and paper related info, particularly information of kami-ito and shifu (spun and woven paper)
