Exploring Artists Books - Two Part Workshop

THIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM

Week 1: July 8, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 

Week 2: July 15, 10:00 - 11:00 am

In this two-part workshop, we will get to create two types of artists' books. The first being an accordion-style book with covers, where participants will also learn how to fold and add pages to make a longer accordion. Building on the foundational folds of the accordion book, we will be able to create the more complex Flag Book. Originally developed by Hedi Kyle for her work April Diary in 1979, the foundation of the deceptively simple Flag Book structure is an accordion folded spine. Rows of flags attached to opposing sides of each of the spine’s “mountain” folds allow the artist to fragment and layer a number of complementary or contrasting images and narratives. When read page by page, the viewer sees disjointed fragments of image and text. When the spine is pulled fully open, these fragments assemble a panoramic spread. This transformation is accompanied by a delightful flapping sound. The spine and covers provide opportunities for additional imagery.

Week 1 will focus on learning how to make an accordion book, and, from there, creating a flag book. 

Week 2 will be a show and tell session.

This workshop is for anyone that is interested in learning basic bookmaking techniques as well as for anyone that wants to expand and play with mediums they might already use ie: incorporating photos, paint, watercolor, cray pas into these books. If you have wanted to play with combining text and image, the flag books are also a great way to accomplish this. The possibilities are endless!

Open to all levels. 

A materials kit will be sent to all registrants. The $20 kit cost will be included in the registration fee. Click here for a list of what is included in the kit, along with additional supplies students should supply. 

About Erin Fletcher

Erin Fletcher was introduced to the craft of bookbinding under the instruction of Susannah Kite Strang during her studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She experimented with a variety of simple book structures, pushing the concept of the book as an art form. This initial exposure to bookbinding created a desire to culture a deeper understanding of the craft. In 2010, Erin moved to Boston to attend the full-time bookbinding program at the North Bennet Street School. She received training in both historical and contemporary bookbinding techniques from early codex structures to case bindings to fine leatherwork from Jeff Altepeter. Additional training was delivered by Martha Kearsley in basic book and paper conservation. In 2012, Erin opened Herringbone Bindery, providing hand bookbinding, box-making and basic conservation for various clients and institutions.