Spring has finally arrived. The grass is getting greener every day and more buds are appearing on some of the the trees. The birds are singing their beautiful melodic tunes in the warmth of the morning sun. RHYTHM
Rhythm is my latest artist book. I saw a call to artists of artists' books. I was unable to participate in the call because it was national, but I really liked the theme, so I decided to create a book around it.
Rhythm is defined as: (1) a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound; (2) the systematic arrangement of musical sounds, principally according to duration and periodic stress.
In researching further, I learned there were different kinds of rhythm: (1) random rhythm: avoids any formal structure: (2) regular rhythm: arrangement of parts following a regular space and interval between them; (3) alternating rhythm: changes the dynamic, the focus and the speed of the repeated motif; (4) progressive rhythm: a gradual increase or decrease in the size, colour, number or other repeated elements; and (5) flowing rhythm: bends and curves, motifs and the space within the paintings and drawings.
Rhythm is not always mathematically structured: it is aided by line, colour and shapes; it allows greater freedom of interpretation where few universal rules are applied.
I created a protective box for the artist book. I used book board and covered it with chyogami paper that has a beautiful rhythmic pattern. The ties are embroidery thread and felt.
Lid of the box
Inside the lid: marbled paper and a piece of the chyogami in order to maintain the rhythm.
There are 29 pages in this book. Each page hangs on the wooden frame (birds eye maple), from a wire inserted in the spine of the page. Both sides of each page consists of a mylar over a photograph depicting rhythm. Graphite text, music bars and notes or images of rhythm decorate the mylar.
A gentle breeze passing over and through the book creates a rhythm as the pages move. If a page is removed from the book, the rhythm changes and if the page is put back into the book in a different place, again the rhythm changes.
Front view of the book in the frame. The reversible base has red suede leather on one side and chyogami on the other side.
Side view of the book with the chyogami covered side up.
Rhythm is not static: the images in the photographs compel, invite and/or force the viewers eyes to follow the rhythm within their boundaries.
The first page of the book: the definition of rhythm on mylar.
The rhythmic photograph under the mylar.
The back of the first page with a graphite drawn image of rhythm.
The rhythmic photograph under the mylar: a reflection in a window.
An example of the mylar with musical score in graphite. I used the Canon in D by Pachelbel for these pieces.
The rhythmic photograph under the mylar.
The back of the page.
The rhythmic photograph under the mylar.
This is the front of the last page of the book.
The back of the last page.
COLOUR
Colour is a photographic artist book. Many years ago I took photographs of a large installation at the old Ottawa Art Gallery. They were very large, rusted metal plates covering the wall, each bearing the name of a colour. I took photographs of the rust patterns of each plate, with the intent to make a book about colour. I used those photographs for the background of each page in the book. Then I added sections of photographs, with other colours to each page, creating an interaction between images and colours.
I made a hard cover for this book. The paper I used to cover it had a soft texture to it. It was a pleasure working with this paper and once glued to the board, it maintained its softness.
inside
OTHER WORLDS
There was a call to book artists with the theme: Other Worlds. This was for the XIV Artist Book and Small Edition Festival in Barcelona, Spain. I submitted two books to be considered and one was accepted. The books in the exhibit were first shown at the Piazza Sant Just in Barcelona on April 23, 2023. They will then be exhibit in Moderna, Italy at the Biblioteca d"arte e architecture Poletti from May 13th to July 2023.
Book 1: Abstract Worlds
This book is a combination of paper cut work showing a portion of the image through the cut and the full image when the page is turned. The images are abstract water colours.
Front cover
Gold paper fly leaf
partial image of the abstract world, through the cut
full image of the abstract world
Book 2: A Moment In Time
In this book, I used photographs on both sides of the page, so when the page was turned the opening in the page would expose another moment in time within a new image.
Cover
Chyogami fly leaf
OTHER WORK
Abstract World 1 is an accordion book consisting of monotype and etched prints.
Abstract World 2 is an accordion book with monotype prints.
Abstract World 3 is an accordion book with water colour paintings.
Abstract World 4 is a pop-up accordion book with etchings on both sides of the pop-out section.
WORKS ON PAPER
This first piece is a simple ink blot painting with acrylic paints on black paper. It reminds me of the picture on the cover of the book: The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat.
This is a water colour painting where I have incorporated ink drawings. It was inspired by Margaret MacDonald's painting, Opera of the Seas.
That's all for now. I hope you enjoy the beautiful spring weather ....
Mary
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