I often make little collages out of scrap materials and put them inside books that I give away to second hand shops or via Bookcrossing. This one is more interesting than most and will be inside the copy of Gao Xingjian's novel One Man's Bible when I give it away. The collage is made out of a recycled envelope (itself made from a recycled German map - one of the characters in the novel is German) with a photo of Hong Kong (part of the novel takes place in Hong Kong), some Chinese lettering and a picture of a book. On the back there are more cuttings from magazines. Of course I've also written in the address of this blog.....
They are cool. I saw a wonderful exhibition the other day at The State Library here of books as works of art, absolutely beautiful hand made and limited edition books, many using collage. And they had a computer set up showing a blog as a new form of book as though it was a breakthrough. Institutions are always a bit behind. Your collage is conceptual art collage magnificence.
Another blogger I know has a family tradition of writing their name in the book and a comment about where they were when they read it and its associations. Someone contacted her years later who'd found one of the books in a secondhand shop.
In response to Lucy, when I buy a book in a secondhand shop, I try to remember to write the date and place of purchase IN LIGHT PENCIL on the back flyleaf. It's particularly fun if you are collecting a series to see where each of the components has come from!
I also try (don't always succeed) to log notes about each poem I write. I try to put the date & try to keep a representative number of drafts. I also aim to include the place/quotation/ prompt that inspired it. It's fine when poems 'waddle in' like tortoises: not so easy when you have a sudden burst of creative activity! I love the notes accompanying some of Edward Thomas' poems, & feel a few jottings are usually worth the effort.
Sarala - I've never had a cooment from collages I've left in books I've donated to second hand shops, though one second hand shop did take out the collage and sell it separately....
Lucy and Coastguard - I never do write in dates and places, maybe i should.
Coastguard _ i love your image of poems waddling in like tortoises, excellent. I don't keep good enough notes about my writing process, though if there's a quote that inspires a poem I will make a note of that. But that's something I should be better at in general.
Hi Sandy I have a big box where i keep magazines etc that i collect. The Chinese text came from a Botanic garden programme for a series of Chinese events they held. I only use magazines etc that come through my front door, I don't go round and collect them,
I often make little collages out of scrap materials and put them inside books that I give away to second hand shops or via Bookcrossing. This one is more interesting than most and will be inside the copy of Gao Xingjian's novel One Man's Bible when I give it away. The collage is made out of a recycled envelope (itself made from a recycled German map - one of the characters in the novel is German) with a photo of Hong Kong (part of the novel takes place in Hong Kong), some Chinese lettering and a picture of a book. On the back there are more cuttings from magazines. Of course I've also written in the address of this blog.....
Love your collages, I wish I would find one....
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly wonderful idea to customize a book in this way...
ReplyDeleteedinburgh day by day - its a collage on a card inside the book, i didn't customise the book itself...
ReplyDeleted.moll - who knows maybe you will, books go on some interestign journeys...
They are cool. I saw a wonderful exhibition the other day at The State Library here of books as works of art, absolutely beautiful hand made and limited edition books, many using collage. And they had a computer set up showing a blog as a new form of book as though it was a breakthrough. Institutions are always a bit behind. Your collage is conceptual art collage magnificence.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a creative, generous thing to do!
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger I know has a family tradition of writing their name in the book and a comment about where they were when they read it and its associations. Someone contacted her years later who'd found one of the books in a secondhand shop.
That is clever. Do you ever get a response from someone who finds your collage in a book?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Lucy, when I buy a book in a secondhand shop, I try to remember to write the date and place of purchase IN LIGHT PENCIL on the back flyleaf. It's particularly fun if you are collecting a series to see where each of the components has come from!
ReplyDeleteI also try (don't always succeed) to log notes about each poem I write. I try to put the date & try to keep a representative number of drafts. I also aim to include the place/quotation/ prompt that inspired it. It's fine when poems 'waddle in' like tortoises: not so easy when you have a sudden burst of creative activity! I love the notes accompanying some of Edward Thomas' poems, & feel a few jottings are usually worth the effort.
What do the rest of you do, I wonder?
Sarala - I've never had a cooment from collages I've left in books I've donated to second hand shops, though one second hand shop did take out the collage and sell it separately....
ReplyDeleteLucy and Coastguard - I never do write in dates and places, maybe i should.
Coastguard _ i love your image of poems waddling in like tortoises, excellent. I don't keep good enough notes about my writing process, though if there's a quote that inspires a poem I will make a note of that. But that's something I should be better at in general.
I think this is one of my favorites, too. Where do you get your materials?
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy I have a big box where i keep magazines etc that i collect. The Chinese text came from a Botanic garden programme for a series of Chinese events they held. I only use magazines etc that come through my front door, I don't go round and collect them,
ReplyDelete