Book 24     A Book about Books. Penn, C and Vels, E. (2009) (Fig.22).  A Book about Books.  Unique collaborative artist’s book.  14 Double sided pages with folds holding letters, diagrams, notes, digital prints, sewing, thread and other books. Mixed Media including drawing, collage, painting, writing, digital print, lino prints. 31cm x 35cm x 4.5cm.  Book 24. Collection: Cheryl Penn.

In a diary (March 2009) I wrote: “I began this book a few days after meeting and interviewing  Elizabeth Vels in Cape Town.  It  was an honor when she agreed to work with me.   We work very differently and although I did not see this as a hindrance, Liz was initially very nervous of the process.  I think this had to do with the fact she did not know me, how I worked, and is very particular about the books she makes.  Because Liz was the first book artist I was working with, I thought it appropriate to make a book on books.

I intended the collaborative book to be an interactive volume, where the reader would get involved in the reading process by lifting letters and other books out of the pages.  The issues which formed the basis of the book content included the first books we had made, collaborative book issues, altered books and the more philosophical question of the book as a vessel”.

It is a personal book, based on the opinions of two book makers.  In the ‘book as vessel ‘ section, Vels (2009) wrote about the book as being “the compost repository, archeology, narrative, record, journal, a visit, a person, a death, a trouble, a joy, a pain in the gut, whatever hits in your life, make it into a book.  Flatten it, print it, sew it, techno it, smell it, whatever fits, make it so.  It may not touch a chord in everyone but in a few who care to engage some note will echo”.

Binding this book was a challenge, as an ordinary glue binding would not withstand the amount of handling this interactive book would have to endure. I resolved this with a fold binding, which aside from adding an interesting vertical section of information, balanced the height of the book on the left and right hand sides (the right hand sides being voluminous due to the inserts).