Book Arts Course and Remote Learning |

As mentioned in an earlier post, this Spring the Preservation Lab is partnering with the English Department to co-teach Book Arts (ENG3097), with the Lab staff leading the hands-on experiential learning portion of the course. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all courses needed to move to a remote learning curriculum for the remainder of the semester. So far one of the biggest challenges has been student access to supplies and materials – papers, leathers, book cloths, etc.

In recognition of this obstacle, I created four different books using the same series of black and white 8.5″x11″ laser prints as the base structure. Ideally the exercise communicates the advantages and disadvantages of each form in expressing my loose narrative, and shows the variety of structures that can be achieved using cheap printer paper. The four structures used are – snake book, accordion with pocket, volvelle inside a scene, and Hedi Kyle’s pocket-link book.

Base images for the snake book and accordion with pockets. I added some color using watercolor pencils.

First up, an exploration of the snake book.

(FRONT) The snake book requires the image to be cut into small sections along a circuitous route.

(FOLDED) Because the snake book has folds that go every which way, it is hard to understand the overall image, without unfolding it completely. There are few opportunities to provide additional text or images if this is viewed, or interacted with, as a traditional book.

I’d say that the snake book isn’t a successful structure for my image. Next, let’s try the accordion with pockets.

(OUTSIDE) Cutting the 8.5×11 sheet in half and pasting it together at the short edge, an 8 panel accordion was created.

(INSIDE) By folding the outside bottom of the accordion towards the inside, a small pocket is created. In the pocket I placed images of items found in my house…that’s why these two little examples are titled “Household Objects.”

The accordion seems to work better for my image. The outside image is clearer and easier to interpret and the inside blank space provides room to tell a story.

Next, using the same base image, I incorporate two techniques that we covered in class – the construction of volvelles and the use of pochoir (adding color with stencils).

(FRONT) A double sided-volvelle. The front side poses a question or makes an observation.

Musings on staying at home these past three weeks turn a little grim in this small (8″x7″) scene with an internal volvelle. Turn the wheel and two conversations take place, one on the front and the other on the back, both a bleak internal dialog. The paper dolls are on Neenah UV/ultra translucent paper allowing much of the background drawing to show through, giving the impression of haunting or drifting, not being fully present. These dolls line-up and are sewn together with small pamphlet stitches, with the printer paper substrate in between.

Watercolor paints and stencils, a quick way to make multiple color prints.

The last book builds upon the volvelle scene, expanding the content and transforming it into a traditional codex using the pocket-link structure. The structure has pockets created by the way the pages are linked, you can see them on the left side of the double spreads. I’ll be filling these pockets with mementos of my time haunting my house.

Click on this LINK, or the image below, to flip through the book – Ghost in my home.

All four of these books are just models, but I think they all have potential! Maybe you do too and want to try your hand at these simple forms. If so, check out these “how to” links on snake book, accordion book, and volvelle inside a scene. [Unfortunately, I don’t have an authorized set of instructions for the pocket-link structure to share.]

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little diversion into book arts and wishing you well…

Holly Prochaska (UCL) —- Preservation Librarian