My Book of Jewels

Term 3: Artists' Books - My Little Book of Jewels.

Symbolisation is a large component of this task and I believe that all aspects of my book of jewels will represent me to a great extent.

I have chosen my artwork to be a book in the form of a grand piano.

What do you think of when you picture a grand piano? Something grand, something shiny, something admirable, something musical, something classic, something smooth and slender, something flawless, something that stands confidently in the middle of the stage recieving the spotlight? The grand piano is merely an instrument, however, it's full of opportunities, in the sense that any melody can be played upon the beautiful keys. The melody can reflect upon the mood and emotions of the player. It is so free. However, how good you are playing the instrument depend on the person. Do you think people are just talented at playing a musical instrument? Yes, there are people that are recognised for being musical geniuses. However, ever wondered how much effort they put in? How many aimless hours they experiment on the musical instrument? Music is about perserverence. A fight within the individual wanting perfection. Perfection in the sense of perfect for themselves not others.

The piano represents me because I wish to always acheive my goals. I have strong determination and my perserverence gets me through a lot of things in my life. If I really want something, I can make it happen because I think that I can. Positive thinking. Positive outcome. The grand piano represents my inner self as well as my outer self. A grand piano stands confidently in the middle of the stage recieving the spotlight. I believe that I am the main character in my life and i'm allowed to recieve the spotlight because this is my life not anyone elses. A grand piano is also sturdy and relaxed and soft but sophisticated as well. You can play any note on the piano. Whatever you want to play. whatever melody I wish to play I can. Because it is my life. I make decisions and influence all aspects of my life. The emotions that come with it are mine not anyone else's.

So the grand piano represents my outer self, inner self and my life. My personal aesthetics.

Artist Books

Artists' books are works of art realised in the form of a book. They are usually published in small editions, though sometimes they are one-of-a-kind objects called book art. Artists' books have employed a wide range of forms, including scrolls, fold-outs or loose items contained in a box as well as bound printed sheet. Although artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, the artist's book is primarily a late 20th century form.

The Real Accordian Book by Peter & Donna Thomas

"Artists' books are books or book-like objects over the final appearance of which an artist has had a high degree of control; where the book is intended as a work of art in itself." Stephen Bury

The Train Comes to Wichita. by Peter Thomas

There is a lot of discussion going on about what an artists' book is. Like trying to define "What is art?", there is no single right answer. The term artists' book simply means a book made by an artist; a book made as a work of art rather than as a literary artifact.

In 105 AD the Chinese invented paper. This material was flexible and strong. A new form of book was created, the concertina or fold book. Here one sheet, or several glued into one, was folded onto itself. It could be read by flipping each fold (like pages) or opened to see the entire length. The book had hard covers on the ends to protect the paper.