We were fortunate that the volcano dust cleared in time to have Paul Johnson make it to Philadelphia this week. As you can see by the video and photos, great fun was had by all who came into contact with him!

Paul Johnson Talk

Mr. Johnson will bring a suitcase of pop-up books to show us. Some of the books are his own and some were made by others, including children. He will discuss the endless power of the book as an aesthetic, architectural form and its special fascination for people of all ages.
Please RSVP to Jennifer Rosner by clicking HERE
or call Jennifer at: 215-546-3181

In conjunction with Philagrafika 2010: the Graphic Unconscious:

The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, collaborating with the Philadelphia Center for the Book, presents an exhibition of contemporary book arts produced in response to Athenaeum research collections.

See the work of artists Aimee Denault, Karen Hanmer, John Magnan, Claire Owen, Pia Pizzo, and Donald Rattner.

March 1 – May 1, 2010
Free Admission

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM
First Saturdays, 10:00AM-2:00PM

Annual Meeting 2010
March 24, 2010 5-7 p.m.
The Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia PA, 19107

5:00 – 5:30 Wine and Cheese
5:30 – 5:45 Exhibit* curator Erika Piola will give a brief gallery talk
5:45 – 6:15 Meeting
6:15 – 7 More Socializing
We hope you can make it! You can RSVP HERE
Or by phone: 215-546-3181 (Jennifer Rosner)

*Philadelphia on Stone: The First Fifty Years of Commercial Lithography, 1828-1878. The Library Company is a Philagrafika 2010 site. The work of contemporary lithographers Kip Deeds and Roberta Delaney will also be on display.

A Few Additions to the Last Post…

Date for the Paul Johnson Workshop:
Saturday, May 8th, 2010. 9 am – 5 pm.
see this post for more details.

Also: Paul Johnson Lecture:
Free! He will show and discuss his work.
Friday, May 7th. 5:15 pm
Library Company of Philadelphia
Save the date. We will post about this again.

Upcoming Workshop

In this workshop we will make a movable 3D book without folds. All the sections, including a pop-up building are constructed by using dovetail and mortise and tenon paper joints. Thus paper fatigue is eliminated as well as the tendency for multiple folded units to ‘spring’ upwards. The book lies perfectly flat. We begin the workshop by making several different types of applied paper joints and this leads to an architectural construction in which these joints are employed.

Participants should bring scissors, a ruler or straight edge, a bone folder, an X-acto knife and cutting mat, a glue stick and white glue and, if desired, colored pencils, markers and decorative papers. The paper used for the main construction of the models will be supplied by the instructor.

Fees: $80 members of the Guild of Book Workers, the Athenaeum, and the Philadelphia Center for the Book; $110 all others.

To register please visit the Athenaeum’s website. (scroll down)

Upcoming Exhibition & Other News

Transforming the Ordinary:
Bookworks by Hedi Kyle
Jan 16 though March 28th 2010.
James A. Michener Art Museum
138 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901

Over her long career as a book artist, Hedi Kyle has pushed the envelope of what is considered a book. Transforming the Ordinary: Bookworks by Hedi Kyle, will showcase examples of her innovative book structures including the Flag Book, the Spider Book and the Blizzard Book.
Read the entire press release here.

Special programs:
Hedi and her daughter Ulla Warchol will teach: Intergenerational Bookmaking Workshop
Hedi will teach: Tranforming the Ordinary: A Teacher Workshop

Show and Bestow Exhibition extended!
This exhibit at the main branch of the Free Library will remain open until Jan 13, 2010. Don’t miss it!

Two Workshops Coming Up

Fast, Friendly, Free Workshop: Paste Papers
Saturday, Jan 16, 2010. 9 am to noon.
Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street
The staff at the Library Company has been making paste papers for many years. Come learn how it is done and see some of their inventive ideas for making and using these decorated papers. (Members only.)
Click

HERE

to sign up

The Book as Architecture– A Workshop with Paul Johnson
Saturday May 8, 2010 (save the date)
9 am to 5 pm
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 S. 6th Street

Paul Johnson creates amazing books from single sheets of paper that are architectural in structure with nothing added, nothing taken away, and no glue. In this workshop we will make a movable 3D book. All sections are constructed by using dovetail and mortise and tenon paper joints. Visit the Athenaeum’s website starting in January to sign up.

Three Local Exhibitions!

We are so fortunate to have so many exhibits going on here in the Delaware Valley. During the holidays you may want to make some time to see some of these exhibitions:

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: BOOK ARTISTS FROM AUSTRALIA
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see exciting work from Australian book artists. Hosted by Gallery 633 at The University of the Arts, the exhibition showcases a variety of artists. From printmakers and paper makers, to fine book binders and photographers, all working with the structure of the book as a means of expression. The show will be open from December 8, 2009 through January 30, 2010.

On Top of the World: Book Artists from Australia, was curated by Tara O’Brien after a recent trip to Australia. The show represents book artists from the east coast between Sydney and Brisbane. These artists come to the medium of book art with strong backgrounds in printmaking, paper making, and ceramics. Even though many of them work in relative isolation within their own country, there are common themes including the land, ecology and aboriginal people.

This gallery is sometimes locked. Please email Dan Corrigen to arrange a time to see the exhibit. df.corrigen@gmail.com

Werner Pfeiffer(censor, villain, provocateur, experimenter):Book-objects & Artist Books
On Exhibit: September 8, 2009 – February 12, 2010
Kamin Gallery, 1st floor, Van-Pelt Dietrich Library Center
University of Pennsylvania, 3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia (picture ID needed)
Werner Pfeiffer, a sculptor, printmaker, and painter renowned for his insightful and moving book-objects and artist books, masterfully constructed and beautifully printed, is collected by private and institutional collectors around the world. This exhibition highlights two distinct groups of works commenting and reflecting on the place and role of the book in the twenty-first century.
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Saturday, by prior arrangement, noon-4pm
Call for details: 1-800-390-1829

Show and Bestow

Art and Print Department Galleries
on the 2nd floor of the Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St.
The collection of artists’ books gathered in honor of Ruth Hughes, will be on display from
November 20 – December 30, 2009. Many Delaware Valley Chapter members are represented and there are eighty books on display in twelve cases. After the exhibition, the collection will be donated to Oberlin College’s Clarence Ward Art Library and will be exhibited there in the spring.
See the Free Library website for hours.