ARTIST BOOK WORKSHOPS

Out-of-the-ordinary books

Artist books often stretch the definition of “book.” These workshops incorporate a whole range of fun and innovative book forms with connections to many areas of the curriculum: history, math, science, foreign languages, and more.

I can help you match a book form with a topic you want to explore. For example, a Vade Mecum was traditionally a pocket reference book for travelling doctors but you could use this structure and create a little cheat sheet for any subject: useful expressions in a foreign language, math formulas, etc.

Mobius movables and flexagons lend themselves to a looping story, and single-sheet books are great if you want to gradually add more chapters or create a set of several little volumes.

Workshops can focus on one book form or include a few.

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The level of difficulty varies.

Minimum one hour. 

Examples

• Vade Mecum: a pocket reference book from the Middle Ages (pre-Wikipedia!)

• Hornbook: a precursor to the textbook

• Harlequinade: the first movable books for children (18th century)

• Flexagons and hexaflexagons: books that magically--and geometrically--reveal and conceal their facets

• Mobius movables: story-making with Mobius strips

• Big Bang origami pop-up: one big geometric pop-up

• Star book: an origami-inspired book that is as much storybook as decoration

• Hand-sized hardcover book: a mini book constructed using a secret ingredient

• Single sheet book with cover: an almost-instant book offering many possibilities, and no glue needed

• Secret spy book: a mini code book (or language book) hidden inside a camouflaged cover