Bridget Elmer

We can go beyond it

Combining her interests in handmade books, libraries, information exchange and social justice, Bridget Elmer produces works of art that go beyond the book — literally.

Her thesis project, Fibre Libre mirrors the way open-source technology is developed. To make paper for the book, Elmer brought together 10 people who each contributed to its production. Similarly, she had participants adjust processing code to produce a variety of digital images for the book, demonstrating the fundamental ideas of collaboration and revision found in open-source technology.

Another project, We Can Go Beyond It, (pictured above) explores theories of neuroplasticity -- the assertion that the human brain is capable of changing itself. Comprised of various maps of brain activity, the book detaches into "links" that can then be manipulated by the handler: a physical manifestation of the way a person might dismantle and resolve destructive ways of thinking.

Read more: Bold Life Magazine 4/11: Books without Borders

Elmer will perform a collaborative piece involving her printing press and artists R. Brooke Priddy, Matt Schnable and Nathanael Roney at the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center {Re} HAPPENING event April 9. Visit rehappening.com for details.

See more of Elmer's work at www.flatbedsplendor

Workshops at Asheville Bookworks

Asheville BookWorks is a community resource for print and book arts located in West Asheville on Haywood Road. Through classes, exhibits, lectures, and annual events like BookOpolis and the Edible Book Festival, BookWorks caters to those interested in handmade books, papermaking, printmaking, and letterpress.

Currently some impressive workshops in papermaking, printing techniques, and book binding are being offered at the BookWorks facilities.

An artist whose work I am fond of, Jessica C. White, (pictured above) will be teaching the following letterpress print workshops:

The Printed Book Workshop
August 11, 18, 25
September 1, 8, 15
The class will integrate text, image, and the book structure into one project while increasing participants’ familiarity and experience with letterpress printing.

Introduction to Letterpress Printing Workshop
August 27-29
This three-day class will explore the basics of letterpress printing and hand typesetting, including type composition, mixing ink, press set-up, and printing on the Vandercook Proof Press.

Check www.ashevillebookworks.com for more information and a full listing of all workshops.

See more of White's work at heroesandcriminalspress.com

and her etsy site:www.etsy.com/shop/heroesandcriminals