Unbind the Mind

For any of my fellow GBC members who have ever used a hot plate in a science fair (mine was to create a tornado), take a few minutes to read Alison Flood's piece in The Guardian, "Artist creates book that turns black as it is read."  Leproust's book to black in four hours is highlighted in the Unbinding the Book Exhibition as part of London's Art Book Fair.

It's a Cover Up

I loved this article in particular because of my recent discussion with 16 fourteen year old girls about the book cover to The Unwanteds.

In books, like wine, the label sometimes sells.

Peter Mendelsund (whose name was not known to me before today) has designed numerous book covers (including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and is soon to publish his book What We See When We Read.   The NYT has the story.

EmergenC

After more than a week of excessive Vitamin C dosing, it is clear that the cold is winning.

On the upside, zero chance of scurvy.

After a long day, I've postponed workout plans until tomorrow morning so I could don my moose pajama hot-pants* and read before retiring at the hour of most 80 year old women.  In case you've missed this news, there's a limited edition print run of I Could Have Painted That by Miriam Elia which has been in the news.  It's irreverent satire so fits along well beside the Wolf.  Here's a link to a visual on the book and the related news about an unhappy Penguin.  If you remember the Ladybird books, you might especially find a smile; it was hard for me to pick a favorite of the pages.

*Special nod to Mel for the gift of amazing PJ couture.  

Reading Not Knitting Not Reading OK Knitting

I had every good intention of starting the next GBC read.  But then Sunday, after work I decided to visit the yarn store to get a bit of yarn for this pattern I had in mind and of course they didn't have quite the amount of yarn in the colors I needed so the pattern had to be abandoned, but I still need to knit the thing so I was in search of a new pattern in a different yarn.  Enter 60 Quick Baby Blankets by Cascade Yarns.  In the typical manner in which I shop, I held the book in my hands for a quick few minutes to decide.  Vibrant, interesting patterns, easy to follow instructions, and located conveniently next to the yarn I could not stop touching.  (100% sweet, soft cotton.)  Of course I bought it (and the yarn).

So that evening, after a baking disaster where I learned that a half-baked cake does not go back into the pan as easily as it comes out, I tucked myself away for a little reading (not hiding).

I'll just thumb through a few patterns, I thought.   An hour later, after reading it like quick chick lit, I had glided through nearly every pattern in the book, gaining more excitement after seeing words like Fibonacci, Fringe and Mistachioed.  Then, when I thought it wouldn't get any better, I turned the page for "My Little Robot" and "Union Jack".  And the bonus:  there's a pattern for a lamb at the end.

I'm fairly certain I dreamed about knitting that night.

So, go forth and have children, so I can make them blankets.  It would help me if you spaced them evenly a bit to give me ample time to finish each one.  Thanks in advance.

Anywhere, I Would Have Followed You

After pushing Saturday a bit to the limits, Sunday was a day to catch up on sleep, spend time with friends in a recovery lunch and cardio-offset a Christmas cigar.  I paired The Holiday with reading water and my rocket card writing by the light of candles and my red tree.  Quaint.  Content.

When I crawled into bed, I wanted the feel of a book rather than my tablet and went scrounging around the bookcase to see what was untouched.  I picked up Don't Go Where I Can't Follow because it was short and I knew it had good reviews.  I'd purchased this and two others by Nilsen in August.  The books sat on the counter for about a month before they were packed, moved, and unpacked during my autumn transition.

It sat waiting until I was ready.

This was a read that I both wanted to turn the page to see the next space and at the same time did not.  I knew where I was headed as a reader and I wasn't sure I was equipped for this peek into another's grief.  The book is a beautiful collection of postcards, a letter, photos and travel anecdotes fading into excepts of writing by Mr. Nilsen at Ms. Weaver's bedside. The end through drawings and words is particularly touching.  I don't think I stopped crying from page 73 onward.

It is such a beautiful thing when two people find each other, admit love, and take on the challenges of life as a unit.  They weather unexpected events, find laughter, and choose to stick it out to the end.  As GBC P@1ge has recently reminded me, all relationships end, one way or another.  Nilsen gives us a look at the other, and it reminds my heart to keep hope that deep connections are always possible, even if they are way too short to be fair.

Love and Pictures

Tonight I stood outside at exactly 0C taking photos.  I dropped my lens cap, misplaced my keys and nearly met the front grill of a big red truck because I was paying more attention to angle than the fact I was standing in the middle of the road.  [Kids, don't try this at home.]

Twenty minutes later when I can feel my hands, I'm scanning through media feeds and discover "The Tutu Project".  You may have already heard about it the last two days, but in my current sleep deprived state was incredibly moved by the sentiment for his wife and some really beautiful photos.  Links to video and Ballerina, the Book here.

Portraits and Poems

I like Jane Austen...but probably not this much.  I think I would opt for the £10 note instead.

Perhaps something more in the realm of possibilities is The Gorgeous Nothings:  Emily Dickinson's Envelope Poetry published at the end of October by Jen Bervin. This NYT review has a nice overview of the book and its inception.

Cut it Out

It was a combination of GBC K1m's snowflakes and my spending Thanksgiving evening with an eight year old and her book Can You See What I See? that has left me thinking about pop up books.  Robert Sabuda has a number of pop up books, cards and picture books to capture your fancy.  Look for him tomorrow on the Today show and consider adding one of his books to your wishlist.

Wide Arching

“Back of every creation, supporting it like an arch, is faith. Enthusiasm is nothing: It comes and goes. But if one believes, then miracles occur.”

- Henry Miller

Barnsley Gardens Ruins
June 2013

Here's to overcoming technology challenges, finding heat in the cold and taking a moment to pause and be grateful.  Hope you have a great weekend! 

Soar Winner

Inspiration comes lately at odd hours and from unexpected places.  A day of music and cloud watching interrupted in one set by a v formation of geese.  

It reminded me of a photo of a "to do list" from a friend: 

1) Learn to fly

2) Fly away

And then this: a public art installation of birds made of books entitled "Language of the Birds"

Incidentally, for my fellow knitters out there, this v formation is sometimes called a skein. 

Falling

Chattanooga, TN
September 2013

Our Friday photo is a combination of books and falling water under the early light of the morning sun.  I recommend climbing on the ledge and touching the water.

Have a great weekend!

A Cover Up

It's a bit early for serious reading, so I'll just take a look through book covers.  These were selected as the best for 2012 in The New York Times:

Most of these are pretty awesome.  What's your favorite?

Book 'em Barer

Feeling a bit artsy this morning. (I think it's my non-traditional work belt.)

In another of the "books into art" category, I've discovered Inspiration Green with this same grouping (though their category also includes "old" and likely the Twilight series) .  Jonathan Callen's pieces are quite extraordinary and Cara Barer's photographs are ah-mazing.  The award for patience when creating these pieces must go to Brian Dettmer.  Wow.

I hope you enjoy.

Freedom...You Gotta Give for What You Take

Thanks to CBS Sunday Morning, I found a new place to visit on my next trip to the Big Apple.  In a little less than a week, FDR Four Freedoms Park hosts an open house and talk as part of Archtober (month-long celebration of architecture).  The park was conceived over four decades ago and was designed by Louis Kahn just before he died.  It formally opens the 24th of this month.

If you missed this morning's segment, Michael Kimmelman's article gives a great overview.

Happy Sunday.

"You Maniacs"

Thanks to xkcd, I learned about Scott McCloud and the infinite canvas.  This led to a brief moment of zen during lunch on a day when my brain maxed out it's CPU and had a much too heavy for Wednesday storage load.  A rocket, a ship, a pyramid and a penny (just to name a few)...oh my!

Sad and wonderful, indeed.

The Old Woman and the Sea

It's my Friday photo...a little late and a little early.

Though I can't quite remember the art piece, phrasings from this description have stayed with me.  I hope you have had a good week and I'll be back to normal (?!) after Labor Day.  Cheers!

Museum of Contemporary Art
Sydney, Australia 2012

Where Art Thou?

Gateway to Gallery of Lost Art

"The Gallery of Lost Art" launched today.  It is an online exhibit sponsored by The Tate and Channel 4 featuring currently 20 works (lost, stolen, or even ephemeral) with a new item added weekly for the next half year.  At the time, the exhibition will be considered complete and we'll have a half year to enjoy before it too expires.

Come Sail Away

I was feeling a bit more "art" than "book" today so perusing The Guardian led me to Lone Twin which led to The Boat Project.  Inspired by GBC K1m's gift of yarn and GBC T1m's homemade wind chimes, I want to create something.  (Admittedly though, I don't want to build a yacht.)

In just a few days (the 7th), a boat made completely of donated items will be launched from Emsworth.  For a video overview, check out this link.  Art meets science.

Best wishes to the team smooth sailing.

Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman

This morning I did my bi-weekly walk to check the mail and discovered three stacks (4 wide and 20 high) of phone books.  My first thought: thanks for not bringing one of those to my door.  Second thought:  who would actually want a phone book?  And then:  I wonder if anyone has tried to make art with phone books.  Of course they have.

Exhibit one:  Kristiina Lahde and "Hive."  The link will take you to page #2 which illustrates the scale of the piece.  Be sure to check out page #1 for a closer view of those familiar ads.  Ms. Lahde was educated and primarily exhibits in Canada.  Two other pieces which caught my eye are "Retread" (for obvious reasons if you know my career progression) and "I Love You".

Cuban American Alex Queral takes phone books in a different direction by use of knife and acryllic.  His sculptures are amazing and I had to read twice to be sure they were actually phone books.  It would be hard to pick my favorite from this selection.

So if you get that familiar yellow delivery to your door, pause before recycling.  Perhaps it's just an art project waiting to emerge.

Pop Goes the Weasel

Something whimsical for a rainy Saturday morning.

            The Pop-Up World of Ann Montanaro

Wish me luck that I can still snag a run or at a minimum see a rocket capsule.  Happy Weekend!