LACMA in NoHo: Exploring Bookmaking at the Valley Plaza Library III

LACMA in NoHo: Exploring Bookmaking at the Valley Plaza Library III
We Write The Book

In December 2017 we had a blast MARBLING PAPER AND making Accordion Books at the Valley Plaza Branch Library, in North Hollywood (NoHo).

I was honored to serve as a teaching artist for LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art) to lead this program.

The stars of the program were mothers, daughters, SISTERS, girls and women.
YEAH! Girl Power! 

Play date at the Library with Mom!

The Mom above’s book…use of “scrap” (repurposed) paper…to colorful effect!

Girls creating together…

Young participants had a great time creating patchworks of color, shapes, patterns and textures on the accordion pages.

Others had fun using rubber stamps!

A material world…

Stickers are a hit.

Another Mom gets into the act.

And another…

Devoted Mom with her two beautiful little guys…

Focused..

The lovely Ivonne of LACMA photographs a lovely accordion book!

YEAH! Girl Power! 

LACMA in NoHo: Exploring Bookmaking at the Valley Plaza Library II

LACMA in NoHo: Exploring Bookmaking at the Valley Plaza Library II
We Write The Book

In December 2017 we had a blast making Tunnel Books at the Valley Plaza Branch Library, in North Hollywood (NoHo).

I was honored to serve as a teaching artist for LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art) to lead this program.

The stars of the program were mothers, daughters, SISTERS, girls and women.
YEAH! Girl Power! 

“Raw” tunnel book, all in black, ready to have content added to the frames and create a story, scene, drama or all three!

Fun use of stamping in different ways on the frame and backdrop if the book. What is the coyote howling at?

Sisters working side by side.

Smiling mom with her two daughters must be enjoying the creative break, and the opportunity to create side by side with them.

Animals parade through flora under celestial bodies, all in primary technicolors!

Wonderful use of trim….spanning on end of the “stage” to the other, with a butterfly attached!

These four beauties created gorgeous pieces, with attention to detail, and total concentration!

Older sis…

and younger (the middle child!).

Great use of zig zags to create a sea life theme!

A line-up of works in from of Mom.

Pink continues to rule…

Let’s celebrate….Girl Power! 

“Santa Monica Eats” (and makes books)

“Santa Monica Eats” (and makes books)

As part of the “Santa Monica Eats” program at the Santa Monica Public Library, I taught participants how to create accordion fold books with pockets, to store treasured recipes. Or, any recipes. Or,  any thing.

The results were whimsical, elegant, beautiful, and always unique.

Music and butterflies remind this maker of her recently departed mother.

Folding…

and cutting.

Using file cards and stamps.

These friends displayed a great sense of design which

lcan really be seen in these close-ups.

Using washi tape and origami paper.

Beautiful color sense and

use of string.

Layering materials.

Creating together…reveling in paper!

Elegant  striking design.

She made it for her daughter.

Intensive work…

A triumvirate of librarians, two of whom designed the Santa Monica Eats program.

What a delicious experience!

 

The Big Book: A Tool for Public Engagement

The Big Book: A Tool for Exploration and Public Engagement 

Why not create a “Big Book“…life-sized, that people can really “get into”! Literally.

Here are some models/ideas, for such a project, using recycled cardboard, and hemp cord to lash the covers and pages to the accordion spine.

Front, from an aerial perspective.

Inside, with “windows and doors” (easily folded open and shut) created with a few cuts

Back….the accordion spine and sewing/lashing can be seen.

Details of the lashing….holes would be punched, and strong cord, rope or jute could be used to attach the pieces.

Workshops could be held where participants make books, then read them using The Big Book as a stage, backdrop or theater.  Exhibitions of the books could be mounted using the covers/pages or “walls” of the book as a gallery.

As well as a tool for community engagement and making, The Big Book, if properly and effectually used, could draw the parallels between books and architecture, the commonalities of their structures, and the way each creates a space, a world, both private and public, for us to enter into.