Pennsylvania

My plans for the end of September were to present my artists’ books to libraries in Pennsylvania. 

The first visit was to the Special Collections Research Center of the Charles Library of Temple University in Philadelphia. The library had completely been reconstructed by the AD100 architectural firm Snøhetta. This space echoes Snøhetta’s completed work at the Calgary Library in Alberta, Canada. The Charles Library is filled with a variety of specialized and innovative spaces providing a gateway to Temple’s campus.

© 2019 Michael Grimm. Outside the Charles Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Standing in front of the Charles Library, I was amazed at the soaring cedar-clad roof that continues throughout the inner atriums. The unique architecture made me pause at the information desk. I was gobsmacked at the building’s unique structure and the number of students engaged in flexible multipurpose rooms, reading areas, and study spaces giving them access to knowledge and technology.

© 2019 Michael Grimm. Inside view of the Charles Library, Temple University.

I was escorted through the « pièce de résistance » — the grand entrance, a three-story, domed atrium to the Special Collection Research Center on the first floor — an inspirational environment. Special Collection Research Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible primary resources and rare or unique materials, to stimulate, enrich, and support research, teaching, learning, and administration at Temple University.

Before entering enthusiastically into my appointment with Margery N. Sly, the librarian in charge of acquiring artists’ books, I spotted an exhibition filled with book arts reflecting the theme of architecture, celebrating the current facilities. I viewed books by Julie Chen, Brian Dettmer, Colette Fu, Malini Gupta, Guy Himber, Emily Martin, Carol Schwartzott, Jana Sim, and Thomas Parker Williams. 

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Exhibition at the Special Collection Research Center of the Charles Library, Temple University.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Ashima by Colette Fu part of the exhibition at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. left: The Gist of Romeo and Julier by Emily Martin, right: A Brief History of the Fan by Carol Schwartzott at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Language Möbius by Jana Sim at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Spiral Dome Sculpture in Paper and Steel by Thomas Parker Williams at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. [Material in the tissue spaces] by Brian Dettmer at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Clock Work Fish by Guy Himber part of the exhibition at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. The Fortune Teller by Malini Gupta at the Special Collection Research Center.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Chrysalis by Julie Chen at the Special Collection Research Center.

My experience went beyond my interaction and presentation to Margery; I felt enveloped by art. Margery was a very approachable librarian who expressed considerable interest in artists’ books. I’m thrilled to announce that Finding Home, A Day Filled with Onomatopoeias, and Earth.15 (Outside the Studio) are now part of Special Collections Research Center of the Charles Library of Temple University.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux. Finding Home, a visual narrative on being unsettled in an environment— to find a sense of place, a sense of belonging.

© 2013 Louise Levergneux. A Day Filled with Onomatopoeias (book and audio), is an interactive book based on the word onomatopoeia and it’s definition.

© 2012 Louise Levergneux. Earth.15 part of the series Outside the Studio, a photographic documentation and a study in movement and time featuring the four basic elements published in a weekly edition.

---

My subsequent visit was the McCabe Library of Swarthmore College in Swarthmore. Amy McColl, Head of Collections provided explicit instructions to the library making it a pleasant introduction to the campus. Most librarians I have encountered provide a visual characterization of the library; Amy’s description was a fun and surprising one “the building looks sort of like a fortress” she naturally added in her email. At my arrival I was delightfully surprised by the architecture, it does look like a Medieval Castle outside and inside. With great astonishment the building is referred to as “The Cage,” McCabe Library inspires a wide range of feelings among the student body, many of which are far from positive. Though, I enjoyed the cozy feeling of the atrium, its stone walls and dim lighting seemed to set a claustrophobic mood, but the atmosphere does not transfer to the librarians.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. McCabe Library, Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. The main lobby of the McCabe Library, Swarthmore College.

Swarthmore College is home to a vibrant and continually growing collection of contemporary artists' books. The Book Arts and Private Press Collection is committed to the acquisition of fine printing and artists' books and endeavours to represent all aspects of the physical book including bookbinding, typography, letterpress and offset printing, hand paper-making, illustration, and book design.

After a very up-beat dialogue with both Amy and Susan Dreher, my artists’ books Traverse, Parade, and City Shields (Pennsylvania volume) have fortunately found a new home in the Special Collection of the Rare Book Room in McCabe Library. These join four flip books: Air.10, Earth 16, Fire.3, H2O.11 (Outside the Studio) already collected through Vamp and Tramp in 2018.

© 2015 Louise Levergneux. Traverse, a documentation on the artist’s annual trip across the country to her home town of Gatineau, Québec, Canada.

© 2014 Louise Levergneux. Parade, presents the strange and intriguing scene of empty chairs waiting for the owner that will be curb side when the parade begins.

© 2008 Louise Levergneux. City Shields, Pennsylvania Vol US6: No 1. A photographic documentation using manhole covers to depict exploration of geographical locations along the artist's life journey.

---

This brings me to a sad moment for the community, as I convey my sincere condolences for the profound loss of Bill Stewart of Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers at the beginning of November. Bill, with his wife Vicky, were very instrumental in introducing my artists’ books to Special Collections of university libraries in the United States. I will always be appreciative for his demanding work, dedication, and professionalism. Bill will be sorely missed.

Sarasota, Florida

I was very engaged in Florida, exploring studios and visiting libraries to present my artists’ books to Special Collections. My séjour facilitated contacting a few librarians and even had the opportunity to re-connect with an artists’ book that was previously acquired.

I reached out to the Florida Atlantic University, the Flagler College, Florida International University, Florida State University, Miami University, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and the Southern Florida University.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. The Alfred R Goldstein Library at Ringling College of Art and Design.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. The Alfred R Goldstein Library lobby.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Brizdle-choenberg Special Collections Center at the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

Showcasing my published books to the Brizdle-choenberg Special Collections Center was a distinct pleasure. Special Collections specializes in artists’ publication projects, prints, and rare books at Ringling College of Art and Design. Janelle Rebel invited the special collections assistant Ali Vargas-Fournier and the director of library services Kristina Keough to join us in the discovering of specific bindings and subject matter.

It was undoubtedly a successful meeting with the acquisition of Decades Apart, 26NOV2006, Xtraction and four flip books from the Outside of the Studio Series to the Alfred R Goldstein Library. The library selected books that would be appreciated in a research consultation by art, photography, animation, and film students and art and design practitioners.

© 2008 Louise Levergneux. 26NOV2006, last copy acquired by the Special Collections of the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Decades Apart, copy 4, last copy acquired by the Special Collections of the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

© 2012 Louise Levergneux. Air.2 from the series Outside the Studio acquired by the Special Collections of the Alfred R Goldstein Library, Earth.11, H2O.3, and FIRE.3 were also purchused.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Xtraction, copy 1, last copy acquired by the Special Collections of the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Desert Swatches was acquired in 2014 by the Special Collections of the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Desert Swatches with its catalogue information.

© 2012 Louise Levergneux. Desert Swatches.

The Alfred R. Goldstein Library a state-of-the-art building that seeks to transform the way that users engage with library collections and services, opened in January 2017. Architecturally stunning, and an active physical and digital destination on the Ringling College campus.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. The Alfred R Goldstein Library lobby showcasing Julie Miller Kanapaux artwork, Momentum 2016.

One can find, broadsides, democratic multiples, documentation of time-based and performance projects, engravings, exhibition publications, experimental writing, fine press books, flip books, handmade editions, historic facsimiles, parlor toys, photo-bookworks, prints, rare books, and zines in the collection.

---

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Exhibition “Step and Repeat: Pattern in Artists' Publications” at the Alfred R Goldstein Library.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Detail of the exhibition, right: Josh MacPhee, Security Fear, 2017

During my visit I was experience the Special Collections' most recent exhibition "Step and Repeat: Pattern in Artists' Publications." The exhibit in the reading room excavates the pleasures of pattern in the coverings, interiors, linings, and details of thirty artists’ publications. Visually arranged into conceptual motifs (flora & fauna, power, psychedelic, geometric, experimental, liquid, figures, and security), these books aim to mesmerize, distract, propel, disrupt, and entice the reader.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Books in the show, middle: Clifton Meador, Kor 2007; middle back: Ral Veroni, Gabo Ferro, Flopa Lestani, Nada para el Destino = Nothing for Destiny 2009.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. left: Barbara Hodgson Mrs Delany Meets Herr Haeckl Radiolaria, Retracoralla, Pediastra, Ciliata, etc., Rendered in Paper Mosaicks, 2015; right: Sheryl Oppenheim, Sample Book 2017.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Nick Butcher and Nadine Nakanishi Graphic Arts Future Corporeal Knowledge 2017.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. left: Chris Fitzpatrick and Karel Martens, Motion 2017; middle: Julie Peters and Karel Martens, Full Color 2013; right: Marianne Dages and Leah Mackin, Ultrices 2016.

It’s always nice to personally meet contacts/librarians of special collections and introduce my artists’ books particularly when an genuine interest is shown.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Ringling College of Art and Design building.

---

Book Arts Collection in Texas

As I travel, my on-going goal is to promote my artists' books. After a few emails to book arts collections in Texas, I scheduled two appointments.

My first rendez-vous was with Shā Towers, Curator of the Book Arts Collection, Art Liaison Librarian, and Associate Director of the Central Libraries at Baylor University. Since 2007, the artists’ book collection of The Crouch Fine Arts Library has grown to over 800 works representing many artists and presses. The collection functions as a teaching collection for both studio artists working in the medium and various disciplines outside the arts. The collection includes a wide-ranging representation of everything from single-page constructions, complex forms, sculptural book-works, fine press, letterpress, photography, handmade papers, textiles, collaborative works, and more.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, the Jesse H Jones Library, one of the central libraries at Baylor University in Waco, Texas

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, the Jesse H Jones Library entrance to a very friendly staff

I arrived in Waco, had a pleasant visit and exchange on the Library collection with Shā. Following my artists' books presentation, I left re-energized. It’s nice to talk with someone who has an understanding, interest and creates artists' books.

I'm thrilled to say my artists’ books: Conversation, Decades Apart, Traverse, the Texas and New Mexico volumes of City Shields, are now part of the Crouch Fine Arts Library.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, Conversation

© 2015 Louise Levergneux, Traverse

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, Decades Apart

© 2006 Louise Levergneux, City Shields, New Mexico volume

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, door in downtown Waco, Texas

My second consultation was with Rebecca Pad, Humanities Liaison Librarian for the Fine Arts Library at the University of Texas.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Oak trees around the Doty Fine Arts Building 

Examples of Artists' Books can be found in Libraries and Art Collections across the University campus. The artists' books in these collections contain illustrations by artists, livres d'artistes, multiple-copied and inexpensive produced booklets, limited-edition, and handcrafted books.

Rebecca Pad, three other colleagues and I sat and reviewed my books. I took pleasure in seeing my ideas and concepts experienced with amusement. I’m fond of bringing a smile to the reader, part of my artistic statement and philosophy behind my work.

At the end of our session, the Fine Arts Library acquired Ambivalence, a flip book from the Outside of the Studio series entitled Earth.20 and my last published book Shadow Me.

© 2010 Louise Levergneux, Ambivalence

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, Earth.20 from the Outside the Studio Series

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Shadow Me

Shadow Me is a documentary that exemplifies solitary moments after the loss of unconditional love of a devoted companion. Rebecca was touched by this book, I’m glad it's now part of the collection.

In the past, I wasn’t keen on talking about my work, but Texans have a way of welcoming you, what can I say Y'all made me feel at home!

---

Rochester, New York

I finally crossed the border back into the US on October 17th. I was hoping to be down south before it froze. It was getting colder every day, and the rain never seemed to stop.

On October 18th, in Rochester, New York, the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day. According to the locals, the temperature was out of season. One of my goals in traveling is to meet with new collection contacts or renew old ones. I love to visit artist's studios, it's fantastic but I also need to distribute my own artists’ books. This is my usual six month of administration duties.

On the road, I emailed contacts of different libraries for a possible visit. I received a quick response from the Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester.

© 2017 Google Maps, Rush Rhees Library, Rochester University

© 2015 Al Herms, Google Maps, Rush Rhees Library, Rochester University

I met with Stephanie Frontz, Head of the Art & Music Library and Art Librarian. The Art and Music Library is home to various collections including over 300 artists’ books. On short notice and to my surprise, Stephanie agreed to meet with me outside on Wilson Blvd for an artist’s book tailgate event!

© 2017 Google Maps, Rush Rhees Library, Rochester University

"With this kind of weather everyone wants to be outside, it will not last long,"—Stephanie replied.

Through our conversation, Stephanie showed me her sense of humour by presenting me with a “League of Librarians” trading card-style business card for the University of Rochester reference and liaison librarians.

This project helps students resolve concerns regarding choosing and finding materials. What a fantastic idea! Gamification is the way of the future!

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, I now possess this trading card. Will it grow in value as the years go by? HaHa! Do you have one? Which one?

After an interesting show and tell, the Art and Music Library acquired five of my artists’ books. Thank you Stephanie!

© 2013 Louise Levergneux, Entre deux

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, 6:45

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, Earth.11 from the series Outside the Studio

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, Xtraction

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, Finding Home

---

West Virginia, Part 1

We left the Smoky Mountains to visit with friends Alex and David Bennet at the Mountain Quest Institute near Frost, West Virginia.

In this majestic landscape, I ventured to visit the wonderful and impressive horses on the grounds of the Institute. 

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, waiting and ready for a photo

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, finally the correct shot

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, thanks for the photo

As I walked the land, I noticed silver threads of a cob web in the corner of a fence produced by the sun’s rays and a yellow-coloured fly sitting for a photograph. Do you recognize this fly? Is it native to West Virginia?

© 2017 Louise Levergneux

Insects as a subject never attracted me till my project Outside the Studio. I incorporated a few bees and beetles and enjoyed catching butterflies fluttering about with my camera.

Libby Barrett’s books capture my attention as I write this post. Libby lives and works in Maine and is often inspired by insects. Many of her book ideas offer possibilities for unusual interpretations.

Libby expresses her love for puns and interest in invertebrates in her artists’ book Web Site. This book is a whimsical interpretation of the theme of an exhibition entitled Spineless Wonders presented at the University of Southern Maine. The four-sided drop box holds an origami spider who's waiting for dinner. 

© 2009 Libby Barrett, Web Site

There in the corner, or under the stair, 

behind the bookcase, or most anywhere anywhere

waiting........ 

Silken thread woven, the vigil begins

hoping that dinner will be captured therein

waiting....... 

The web trembles, dinner has arrived

On today's menu, bluebottle fly

For the same show, Libby published an artists’ book entitled Coleoptera. The specimen box is full of little books about beetles. The illustrations are a combination of watercolour and coloured pencil. Each shell swivels to reveal information about the particular beetle illustrated or about beetles in general, and each book is secured in the box with a pin. 

© 2009 Libby Barrett, Coleoptera

© 2009 Libby Barrett, Coleoptera

© 2009 Libby Barrett, Coleoptera

Libby’s latest book Travel Bugs incorporates a series of collages of beetles for which she uses old maps and atlases as collage material. 

© 2017 Libby Barrett, Travel Bugs

© 2017 Libby Barrett, Travel Bugs

© 2017 Libby Barrett, Travel Bugs, detail

This book produced for a group exhibit where the only guideline was that the book structure had to be based on the accordion structure. I decided to stay with the basic structure and use images of my travel bugs as the subject matter. I wish that I could say that the cover paper was my design, but it came from my stash of purchased paper. I chose it because it made me think of the meandering path a bug might take.

---

Watch your environment and see what surrounds you. Let me know what inspires you from the world’s details.

---

Comment Note: I would love to respond to the comments I receive. Unfortunately, Squarespace does not provide the name of the commenter and no way for me to respond, unless I respond to the comment directly on the blog. I would love to reciprocate your time and comment on my last blog post--please end your comment with email address or name. Thanks for your comments, please continue!

A Studio Muse

Tools, equipment, papers, cloth... and most of all inventory fills an artist’s studio. We fail to remember a precious piece—our muse that sits in a corner or in front of the printer table so you notice their presence—our pet. 

This furry friend disturbing my concentration with a favourite toy, a nod for food or a walk, wonders why I don’t always jump at her demands. With index finger extended, I whisper “just a minute, mommy's almost done”. In a few minutes, this bundle of joy comes running tail wagging with no criticism. Dragging a new toy and a bigger smile inviting me to play again. My four-legged family member relieves frustrating moments in the atelier with a carefree attitude whether I’m printing, cutting, writing or binding. I believe the unconditional love inherent of my devoted companion permeates my artistic spirit. 

Do you have a muse in your studio helping with your productive energy? My little Sheltie Topaz has inspired me to create these artists’ books:

© 2003 Louise Levergneux, Topaz made her debut in my series Equinox, the albums explore the repetitiveness of quotidian life

© 2005 Louise Levergneux, Topaz was the inspiration for Beside Me, a collection that comprised teams

© 2006 Louise Levergneux, Topaz participated in the artists' book Ambivalence, a photographic documentation of Ohio cemeteries provoking a feeling of ambivalence in the viewer

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, obsession is a documentary that portrays Topaz's obsession with her daily routine

© 2012 Louise Levergneux, Topaz was very willing to act on command and be photographed for A Day Filled with Onomatopoeias, an interactive book based on the word onomatopoeia and it’s definition

Topaz was also part of my series Outside the Studio, below is the video of the flip book entitled week 11 - AIR.2

In loving memory of

Imperial Topaz

January 20, 2002 - November 21, 2016

The Tiny Book Show

This week I was preoccupied with cutting and collating manhole covers.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux

My garbage bin is overflowing with paper. Sheet after sheet filled with negative space. It piles up by the hour.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux

© 2016 Louise Levergneux

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, one of my favorite covers today

Did you ever foresee an action in advance? While carrying many die-cut manhole covers from a drawer of my printer cabinet to my work table, I dropped the whole stack. I have five steps to go from my printer table to the other side of my half measure studio!! It took hours and hours to collate the manholes to fit each volume. My eyes crossed a few times while trying to recover the sequnces of the manhole covers; but now, the manhole covers are collated by each volume. My next phase in publishing City Shields is to print 28 double sided inserts.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, manhole covers on the work table ready to collate, AGAIN!

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, manhole covers finally collated

In 2012 when I was creating my flip book project Outside the studio, I dropped sheets of unnumbered pages of my first flip book. It never dawned on me to number the pages, it appeared simple enough to collate. Each page (frame) of a flip book portrays a fraction of a second. This means each image is very, very, very similar! This mistake taught me to number my pages. With City Shields there’s no way to number the covers. I have two sheets of templates to print for each volume. The second template has a variety of covers. I prefer not to waste paper, it’s too expensive! The lesson here is not to drop the sheets, butterfingers!!

---

I took a break from these wonderful die-cut photographs that brought me back to my travels. So, I drove to Nampa and visited The Tiny Book Show hosted by the Nampa Public Library. 

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, Amy Tingle at the Nampa Public Library getting ready for the workshop

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, The Tiny Book Show, awesome!

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, I enjoyed reading this wonderful blue book "Cooper" by Harold Wilson

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, This is a Goldendoodle story!

Amy Tingle and Maya Stein are a mobile creativity company based in northern New Jersey. They travel in a vintage caravan, named MAUDE (Mobile Art Unit Designed for Everyone). The caravan allows them to deliver unique experiences and inspire communities everywhere. 

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, MAUDE

Amy Nack, a local printmaker who goes under the imprint Wingtip Press was on hand to help with the tiny book-making workshop. Everyone is invited to The Tiny Book Show. Amy and Maya stop at select locations around the country to display tiny books made by artists and writers from around the world. Check out their next venue here.

---

Back at my studio, I cut binders boards for different projects. The days are going by fast and my summer time back home in Canada is approaching.

For entertainment, I watch Garip Ay create Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry night and Self-portrait with ink marbling animation. Enjoy!