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Bristol |
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Tale of Two Cities.. Off Centre Gallery, Bristol and Center for Book Arts, New York A two venue exhibition of artists' books by 20 artists based in New York and Bristol in 2001. This exhibition is jointly curated by Sarah Bodman (Print Research, UWE) in Bristol and Miriam Schaer / Maddy Rosenberg (Center for Book Arts) in New York Bristol Andrew Atkinson,Carinna Parraman, Paul Laidler/Helen Smith, Andrew Eason, Eilis Kirby, Stephen Hoskins, Guy Begbie, Sarah Bodman, Annabel Other/Bristol Art Library, Tim Staples New York Lise Poirier, Susan Rostow, Mary Ting,Robbin Ami Silverberg, Doug Beube, Esther K. Smith& Dikko Faust (Purgatory Pie Press), Soraya Marcano, Stephanie Brody Lederman, Maddy Rosenberg, Miriam Schaer For illustrated essays on this exhibition,see the related entry in publications |
New York |
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This exhibition was the result of a visit to the Centre for Fine Print Research by Maddy Rosenberg, a New York artist. We decided that as we were both involved in the book arts, that we would arrange a joint exhibition to be held in Bristol. This subsequently grew from the initial idea into a two venue exchange project, funded by the Faculty Research Committee at UWE, Bristol and also supported by The Center for Book Arts in New York. The exhibitions have been curated by Maddy Rosenberg and Miriam Schaer (New York) and Sarah Bodman (Bristol).
Ten artists from each city were invited to submit two of their books for inclusion in the exhibition. The Bristol artists include Annabel Other, as Head Librarian of The Bristol Art Library.
We were interested in the difference between the two cities, and whether where an artist lives affects the type of work produced. Local environment does not automatically affect the way we work, but sometimes this influence can be subtle, and geographical influences can be more than an interpretation of the surrounding area.
Some of the artists included in this exhibition make books specifically related to their city, for example Guy Begbie works with material from both his domestic situation, and surrounding areas such as St. Mary Redcliffe have played an important part in his work.
Maddy Rosenberg is also influenced as an artist, by the city environs, her Grotesque New York is inspired by the historical architecture around lower Manhattan. Her fine drawings and prints re-introduce the beauty and mystery found in such places.
Many artists choose to live in a city because it reflects the way in which they think; their attitude, and they become a part of the dynamism of that place. The influence of the urban landscape and all life that is contained within it is a powerful one, and even when we feel we have escaped the city, we still carry that influence as part of our collective daily experience. Paul Laidler's installations and book works are the result of his discovery of a mental health museum in the city, his Here Be Dragons with Helen Smith is part of The Bristol Art Library collection.
Lise Poirier's La Route is a commentary on the obstacles encountered in life; a series of road signs and bumper stickers monotyped onto a seemingly endless, winding roll of paper. Andrew Eason's Smoke Flower is an exploration of his city, the subterranean secrets held within its history. His discoveries of old city records in the library where he works has led to his interest in creating his own version of city life.
The project has provided an exciting opportunity to exhibit a selection of artists' books which work well together, on both sides of the Atlantic. There may be a huge difference in geography, but the works included in this exhibition connect, they speak the same language and have evolved from the same interest: that of presenting ideas in the format that we all understand and appreciate as the artists' book.
2001
The Bristol Art Library
The Bristol Art Library has been in existence since 1998 and has grown since then into a vast collection of books, housed in a miniature library travelling case. The library operates as a performance piece, with Annabel Other, (its inventor and curator) as the Head Librarian, issuing tickets and books for visitors to study whilst the library is in residence at any of the diverse locations it visits.
The Bristol Art Library performed a Seaside Tour in 2000; visiting traditional holiday resorts around the UK such as Eastbourne, Cromer, Newquay and Morecambe. The tour was initiated in order to reach new audiences for the library and those who took part ranged from business people and hotel staff to holiday makers. Visitors were encouraged to join the library as it resided on the pier, beach or in the hotel venue.
The three-month tour proved an enormous success, and led to a series of international residency bookings for the season. The 2001 tour included venues in the USA and the UK, with the library in residence at the Tale of Two Cities venues in Bristol and New York.
For information on future venues contact:
email: headlibrarian@thebristolartlibrary.co.uk
