This was the very first artist's book I made as long ago as 1998. It is not well made, but whilst sorting the studio today I came across it and decided to take some photographs. Truth is, the photographs flatter the book which is poorly made and was never really completed. I called it 'Forest Floor' and it is made from a number of different papers including transparent paper - all rusted. Yes, even back then I was rusting papers.
I am way more delighted with the photographs than the book itself and in light of my last post, think I must have been interested in the same forms and textures as Richard Serra way back! I have sourced some very large sheets of rusted metal and hope one day to make a book which can sit outside amongst the trees .....
When I read that you were thinking of making a book of rusted metal I immediately thought of a wondrous book I encountered in a V&A museum exhibition on artists' books entitled Blood on Paper. (http://www.vam.ac.uk/users/node/2530) It was a book of lead pages: The secret life of plants. As your luck would have it it is in the National Gallery of Australia: http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=127617
ReplyDeleteI love Kiefer's books, and more images can be seen here:
http://galabent.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/you-took-to-me-like-an-axe-takes-to-a-tree/
It looks from your photographs that your early book may not in itself be complete in your eyes, but one of those glorious works which prove to be springboards to future pieces. Life's creative spiral at work again.
Hello Olga and thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. Though I am only responding now, I in fact scurried right away to look at your references. Many thanks. I am a huge Anselm Keifer fan and simply adore his huge books. wouldn't you love some of those scattered around the garden!
DeleteIt was interesting to me to see the photographs of this first book of mine and then think of them in the light of work I have fancied doing. Certainly I think when you experience a work like I did with the Richard Serra piece at the Guggenheim, and it reflects the way you think and see yourself it resounds more loudly within.
SB - sometimes it is about the fragments - beautiful rediscovered fragments - old art becomes new art. B
ReplyDeleteThanks Barry. I must say I do enjoy that continuity of thought one can trace from old work through to new.
DeleteIt does look gorgeous, rich and inspiring! I can't imagine it looking anything less but I'll take your word for it. I'm glad you decided to photograph it.
ReplyDeletethanks Ersi - though I am not that keen on the book, I do think light and photography enhance it and show other possibilities. I may take some photos with my 'good' camera, and see if they are worth printing. x
DeleteYou're definitely channeling Richard Serra. Most of my photos look better than the original works as well. Have you considered a photo book with photos of that book?
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie. I am certainly considering some prints from the photographs even if I don't make a book of it. It is wonderful to see how one can find and latch onto works that have been in your conscious for years and years ...... I found such an internal thrill exploring Richard Serra's work, and I am sure it is much to do with the fact that he has realised in perfection, something you have thought of or seen in your minds eye and not yet played with.
DeleteI love the photos, sometimes the thing itself is not as satisfying as the contribution it makes to another idea/medium. Maybe this was destined to be the source of some really lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteI love this concept - that the original work may transpire into or inspire a similar work in a different medium. Certainly the book looks more interesting photographically!
DeleteThey are rather Serra like - for the little people. Wonderful light play in the photographs.
ReplyDeletelove that Valerie - for the little people! Yes, although I would love to make something on a larger scale, it will certainly still be something for the little people and nothing of the scale of Serra's work ....
DeleteBilbao's Guggenheim images in your last post and these book pages look like first cousins to me. It's wonderful to travel to the headwaters of your creative book making efforts and see whence they all spring from.
ReplyDeleteI was also struck by the similarities between the Guggenheim & this book. Your book is undoubtedly photogenic at the very least!
DeleteThanks Leslie and Lisa. For some reason my computer won't let me comment separately. I is fun to look back where you started so many years ago. I still have great love for those forms and rust ...... I would dearly have loved to have a large spotlight with me in the Guggenheim - and my better camera! Imagine focussing light through those glorious rusted, enormous pages or slices of wonder.
DeleteNot sure that made sense - it did in my head!
Beautiful photographs Susan! What beautiful colours, light, shadows and lines. I love rediscovering things I made in the past... and where I can bringing new life to it. This in just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf this was your first book you may be very proud of it. The pages are lovely and the photographs are stunning.
ReplyDeleteI have returned to your lovely blog after a 2 week holiday. What a pleasure it is to be back. Your posts are always a joy and an inspiration. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images, Susan.
ReplyDelete