the book as viual art

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

I’ve decided to set myself a project, I’m aiming to transcribe a book, and turn the complete text into an artwork, so far I have about 20 A4 pages of text written/drawn. The book I’m using as the subject is called ‘Entropy and Art’ and is something of a philosophical essay on the nature of order.
It’s proving to be an interesting challenge, but with another 150 pages to go I’m questioning the dedication to such a large series that may be a rather daft idea in the first place.

I’m happy to indulge myself with something that has no real saleability, but I’m not sure if the idea will be strong enough to carry an exhibition.

I’m also wondering about the copyright issues involved in copying an entire book word for word, if it’s being turned into page after page of messy handwriting?

I was wondering if other people set themselves large series or projects and if they find this a more effective way of working.

Regards
Andrew

jasmine · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: Re - the book as viual art

wow this sounds like a huge challenge. I love setting huge challenges for myself. it's the kind of thing that you're not sure if you'll get through it, but if you do you'll be so incredibly proud - money or no money.

when you say text is written/drawn what exactly do you mean? what type of artwork are you talking about? try and give me a visual......

and i don't know about the legalities of it....might have to look that one up before you try exhibiting it...

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

I've put an example of a page on a blog,
under the title 'no font'
some pages are more fleshed out than the example
(but not always better)

http://www.blognow.com.au/neonflux

Simon · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 1856 Location: Sydney

I like the visual quality to it and I think it's definately worth pushing and showing. A works on paper show/comp coming up at Hazelhurst regional (gymea/sutherland) comes to mind.

entry form

terms

art8dave · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1333 Location: Sydney

I like it Andrew, I think it works well.
Have you ever seen Cy Twombly's earlier works, canvases covered with text. Personally I think these "scribbles" were his best work.
Although his paintings had a lot more negative space than what you are doing. I think thats what made his work look more like "art" than text.

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

thanks for the feedback,

I don't know Cy Twombly's work that well, I've seen the abstract squiggles, but can't recall seeing text. I might look it up on the web tonight.

I was inspired a few years back seeing a Colin McCahon exhibition where he paints passages from the bible.
It's a challenging thing to set such a large task, theres a real trick to keeping each page uniquie while maintaining an overall feel to the set as a whole.

I'll try and post a few more pages over the long weekend.
Cheers
A.

jasmine · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject: Re - the book as viual art

Thanks for the pic Neon - i like it. keep going i say..

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

art8dave · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1333 Location: Sydney

I have often used a piece of prose as inspiration for a work, and I have often thought of combining handwritten poetry into the artwork ( I guess this isn't a new idea ).
I knew a lecturer/artist who combined music scores into his paintings, although I don't think it looked half as interesting as handwriting.

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

I didn't get around to scanning anything else,
but I had a productive weekend with the pen, with another 20 pages done. (thats about as much work in 3 days as I'd done in 3 months)

And now I'm back at work. Sad

I'm starting to think this could make an interesting show, I like the idea of a space that is covered in handwriting, so that the viewer is surrounded on all sides by the book.

Still a lot of work to be done though

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

it turns out the book I'm using as inspiration for my latest set of drawings is only 57 pages, not 157 I think I must have been hepped up on goofballs, or something, but the good news is that I'm two thirds through the series in one idiotic miscalculation, and I can go back and put more work into some of the less successful pages.

here's a more recent page:

http://www.blognow.com.au/neonflux

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

Well, in the end I used this book idea in my show,

people seemed to like it, and I get plenty of positive feedback, so that was good, I'm already starting on a second book, 'an obsession with butterflies: our long love affair with a singular insect'

anyway, if your in Sydney Monday or Tuesday next week, it is on display, 2 min walk from Central station exit Devonshire tunnel on Surry Hills side.

www.gaffa.com.au

Erika · Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 280 Location: Melbourne

Great news that your show went well. Fantastic too that the book piece was well recieved. Congratulations. Very Happy

Can you post some pictures?

I am really keen to hear more about the butterfly book too I have been using butterfly imagery in my work.

Cheers
Erika

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616

Hi Erika,

I still haven't worked out how to post images, so I'll just post some pics on an old blog. They are low res, I still need to get in and get some good shots without the crowd.

http://www.blognow.com.au/neonfluxap/

AndyE · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 616