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Re: [BKARTS] Fabrication/frustration/sex and drugs
Charlene and others.
Though I do some "book art", my interest is primarily in historical
bindings. That said, I appreciate the book arts, and this story to me
is astounding. That a binder should not get credit, even highlight, is
appalling, and I personally wouldn't stand for it. Of course I am not
making a living a book art as such, but at historical and "fine
binding".
If we book binders and artists think of ourselves in the context of a
long history of binding practice, it is not surprising, though, that
book binders and artists are snubbed. In centuries past binders are
rarely credited except exceptional binders in exceptional
circumstances. This may be brought on by a number of sociological
circumstances but I think also by the binders themselves. It seems
binders have traditionally been self-deprecatory about their own
bindings and in their own binding practices. How often does one find a
ticketed or signed binding? That is changing today, but it may take
some time to wash out this stain.
Just some thoughts after a long day at the bench...
Vernon W
On May 3, 2006, at 6:47 PM, charlene matthews wrote:
Dear list, and Richard,
I too have that very frustrating problem Richard Minsky mentioned in
an earlier post I seem to have misfiled, and so I will not be quoting
it.
I make unique books for various artists, who give me the insides, or I
make a blank book for them to draw/write/paint in, and they put these
books into art shows, resulting in the artist selling/placing these
book art bindings, one of a kind bindings and binding applications, in
museums and private art collections worldwide. As of yet, I have
had no mention in any credits that the bindings are by moi, the only
credit is the Artist credit who did the drawings/writing inside. I
have let this slide by. I know its my work.
The most recent frustration is with an Artist, who is having a solo
show this month. The bulk of the show consists of 7 bindings of my
design, unique for his drawings, ranging from 17"x17" to the largest
size, 6'x10' (yes, the large books border on sculpture). He also has
a book published about his work coming out coinciding with the show,
which has my binding work in it as well as another bookbinder/book
artist . There is no mention/credit of our binding work in the book,
and there is no mention/credit of my binding work in the upcoming
show. When I asked the Artist about this, he said that 'fabricators'
do not have credit mentions. The Artist pointed out that Richard Serra
(and others) do not mention their fabricators. True, in the sense
they hire people to smooth plaster for them. Makes me want to crumple
a whole text block up sheet by sheet and throw it out on the street.
I do not consider myself a fabricator, perhaps a few wild tales here
and there, but my bindings surely are not fabrications (sorry, I need
some humor this morning.) The Artist has said in the future he will
give me bookbinding credit (not for book art) after a long heated
discussion, which made me realize that the Artist was avoiding any
situation relating to 'book art', as in the "real' art world, book
art is not considered 'real' art, but, an Artists Book is Art, and
heaven forbid a one off unique binding being considered art, it is
just the fabrication of the artists' book. Which amazed me, as this
Artist is a well informed intelligent person, who does love the work I
do for him. He is just following the 'norm'. Bo-hucky to the norm
is what I say.
Photographers fought this, and now, photo credits are a 'must' in
publications and catalogs.
What do we have to do as a group of artists to get accredited? I
suppose this list is part of it. I admit I'm a bit emotional about the
whole thing this week, and I hate to point my finger at anyone, but
it's time to not let this slide by for me, or any other book
artist/binder. I now have a goal to change this. But as Richard
stated, we are a group of open sharing artists....
I just don't know. To fabricate or not to fabricate, that is the
question.
Back to the bench to ponder why sex and drugs is in the header.
Regards and thanks to the list, I love it. I apologize for not adding
my two cents in more often.
Charlene Matthews
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Flag Book Bind-O-Rama and Exhibit
Entry Deadline, September 15, 2006
For all your
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See
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***********************************************
Flag Book Bind-O-Rama and Exhibit
Entry Deadline, September 15, 2006
For all your subscription questions, go to the
Book_Arts-L FAQ and Archive.
See <http://www.philobiblon.com> for full information
***********************************************