Beyond Words

A Celebration of Book Arts in 2007

curated by Barbara Brown, and

featuring the work of

Ruth Bardenstein
Kevin Bertram
Jean Buescher Bartlett
Barbara Brown
Larry Cressman
Daniel Essig
Alvey Jones
Julia Miller
Stephanie Rowden
and Pati Scobey

March 27- May 6, 2007

Opening Reception:

Friday, April 13, 7-9 pm

Sunday at 2 Series:

Book Artists' Panel Discussion

Sunday, April 15, 2 pm

Artists’ books are not, as we in the western tradition might think, books about art. Rather, they are intended to be works of art expressed in book form. The reader might consider the way in which words, images and form contribute to the meaning of the piece.
Modern book art has been crossing the boundaries between art forms for around 250 years; one of the earliest examples was the work of William Blake, 1757-1827. In contemporary artists’ books we find an explosion of alternative bindings which change the form of the traditional codex by altering type or image. The transformation can be so complete that the remaining piece is only the artist’s idea of the book.

Washington Street Gallery is pleased to present this exhibit, curated by Barbara Brown, featuring the work of Ruth Bardenstein, Kevin Bertram, Jean Buescher Bartlett, Barbara Brown, Larry Cressman, Daniel Essig, Alvey Jones, Julia Miller, Stephanie Rowden and Pati Scobey. These artists have very different and dynamic methods of working and they challenge the viewer to become involved in the creative interaction of artist and book.

Beyond Words, A Celebration of Book Arts in 2007 will be on exhibit from March 27 - May 6, 2007 at WSG Washington Street Gallery, 120 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

There will be an opening reception to meet the artists on Friday evening , April 13, from 7-9 pm and a panel discussion on Book Arts on Sunday, April 15 at 2 pm as part of the gallery's ongoing Sunday at 2 series. 

Info about the artists: Click here to see detailed information about each of these artists.>>

Daniel Essig's work is featured in The Penland Book of Handmade Books published by Lark Books, "a master class in bookmaking from the leading school in craft education... Ten contemporary, influential artists who have been instructors at the famed Penland School of Crafts are showcased demonstrating the technique for which they are known." For more info, click here >>

Prometheus
mixed media artist book with clamshell box
6"h x 14"w open
by Barbara Brown

Landscape and Memory
One of a kind hardcover concertina book with slipcase.
Hand lettering, color photographs and xerox transfer.
62 pages.
5"h x 6 1/4"w x 1 1/4"d (closed).
Writing, binding and photography by Jean Buescher Bartlett.

Systems of Belief
handbound book in vintage cover with wrapper and box.
60 pages, 56 original collages in rubber stamp, paper scraps, pigment transfer, and marking pen on brown Lhotka bark paper.
6"h x 5"w
by Alvey Jones