Welcome to the Cincinnati Book Arts Society Blog

Please use and visit our blog!
Questions? Curious? Email CBAS at: cbasinformation@gmail.com

Friday, August 26, 2011

Artists talk - Bookworks 12

Bookworks 12 Artist Walk Throughs

CBAS's annual exhibit Bookworks 12 at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (main branch, downtown Cincinnati) will close August 29th. 

Not all is lost though! You can still see the exhibit 
one last time and hear artists talk about their 
work this Sunday August 28th from 2 to 3pm.

 Artist Walk-Throughs of Bookworks 12-
August 28th, 2-3pm (Sunday)

The walk through will feature artists: Diane Stemper, Veronica Sorcher, Janice Kagermeier, Maxine Seelenbinder-Apke, Patty Bertsch and Stephan Washburn. Each artist will talk for 5 to 10 minutes about their piece(s) in the show. The public, friends and other exhibiting artists are all invited. We thought this would give us an opportunity to meet new artists, get to know one another and give the public an opportunity to hear what goes through the minds and hands of those who make books!



Hope to see you there!


Tell your friends about the exhibit and invite them to the walk through too!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Books by the dozens


While this blog entry is a bit behind the moment of the event (CBAS field trip to Columbus), it is absolutely worth writing about almost two weeks later! On August 13th a group of CBAS members took a Book Arts field trip to Columbus. It was a full and interesting day that began in the Ohio State University Manuscripts library with Geoffery Smith. We continued to an exhibit “The Prehistory and Abiding Impact of the King James Bible: An exhibition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible”, hosted by The Rare Books & Manuscripts Library in the Thompson Library Gallery (Exhibit ends August 28, 2011). In the gallery we saw a full range of bibles from medieval manuscripts beautifully painted with illuminated letters, early printed books, contemporary illustrated bibles, comics illustrating the bible and an amazing set of etchings by William Blake “Illustrations of the Book of Job” 1826. The delicate lines, precise lettering, and dramatic images Blake envisioned were a highlight for me. 

The Holy Bible illustrated by Barry Moser 1999, OSU Libraries
Eric Johnson, curator of the King James Bible exhibit gave a great lecture and tour of all the works and I wish I had taken more thorough notes! He took us through the early history of the bible as a crafted book. The early hand lettered, illustrated and bound bibles had to be housed in several volumes and there was one portion of the exhibit that showed the progression of medieval bibles (housed in several volumes) to later manifestations that reduced the overall size (columns, lettering) and resulted in the Proto Paris Bible and the Pocket Bible that succeed in containing all of the written content of the bible in one volume or book.  He went on to talk about the printing of the King James Bible. It was a fantastic inspiring and edifying exhibit and talk by Eric Johnson. (Patty Bertsch contributed the photos of the exhibit to this blog, thank you Patty! )


First printing King James Bible 1611, OSU Libraries




First printing King James Bible 1611, OSU Libraries












Bob Tauber of Logan Elm Press was also along for the day and he inked up some letterpress type he had set on an old Albion Press. We were each given a small broadside with information about the exhibit on it. A wonderful keepsake! 

We went on to see Ann Hamilton’s installation at the University libraries/OSU. It is a mesmerizing assortment of cork alphabet/words/text installed and inset on an OSU library floor. I enjoyed walking the words and saying them to myself in a random fashion - the floor read as a piece of poetry. From there we headed over to see a private collection that was inspiring to see and hear about. First, before seeing the books we were treated with a lunch, an unexpected delight. We viewed and could touch (after cleaning our hands!) many small press books that contained beautiful calligraphy, watercolors, wood engravings, and of course letterpress! There were many miniatures, some movables, and dozens of small press books finely printed and bound and a super collection of books that featured Pochoir, a technique using stencils to create an illustration. Stunning and lush!
 
We had a great day and special thanks to Cody Calhoun and to all those in Columbus for arranging this field trip, it was a reminder of the tremendous resources we have in our region.

Friday, August 12, 2011

"Bookworks 12" - Artists tell all!

Final days of Bookworks 12 !!
CBAS' annual exhibit of fine bindings and artists' books is still on view but not for long. The exhibit comes down on August 29th. SO! It is a good time to visit the library for one last look at the wonderful display of books made by hand and by regional artists whose creative output is varied and delightful. 


Exhibition view of Bookworks 12


JOIN us for an 
Artist Walk Through 
August 28th, 2pm to 3pm 
 Main Atrium 
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County 
main branch
800 Vine Street, Cincinnati

Artists will talk about their work and it will be a great opportunity to meet and talk with more artists who love and make books. 

We hope you can make it! Bring a friend!  


Artists scheduled to talk are: Nancy Driesbach, Veronica Sorcher, Janice Kagermeier and Diane Stemper and more TBA.

If you have a book in the show and would to talk 
 about your artwork on the 28th, please contact 
and let me know ~~  we would love to 
have you particpate.




The Gentle Worm ~ tunnel book by Diane Stemper

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Bookworks 12 library slideshow

I know that by now people have see plenty of our Bookworks 12 exhibit BUT...it is always fun to see more! The library has posted a slide show of many of the books from the show. So check it out!  Visit the exhibit on line or share it with family or a far away friend - this is your chance. Follow the link below.

Bookworks 12 slide show