Debra Disman

Artist

Public Library

2021 INTERNATIONAL ART OF THE BOOK: In Living Color

By

THE 2021 ART OF THE BOOK & PAPER SCULPTURE!


“In 2011, we held the first Art of the Book exhibit in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rochester Public Library. At the time, we wanted to celebrate what has been at the core of libraries for centuries–the book. We marveled over the intricate interpretations of this humble format, and we were thrilled with the response to the exhibit from the community.”

“In subsequent years, the exhibit has grown to include entries from all over the world, featuring well-known artists for their exquisite work. We have built a reputation worldwide among book artists, and we are so pleased to see that reputation upheld.

Books continue to ensnare the imagination, both for their form and content. Artists manipulate those two components to create breathtaking, mind-bending works of art that tease and cajole people to consider the intricacies of paper, ink, words, and meaning.

In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary, we are adding Paper Sculpture as a new category. This new category will celebrate the extraordinary use of paper, in an art form that combines or shapes papers.”

View the CATALOGUE!

View the show!!

The Art of the Book, and then some….

By

I am thrilled to be showing “Burning Bush”


7.5 x 11 x 5.5″, mixed media

IN
THE 2021 ART OF THE BOOK & PAPER SCULPTURE

Exhibition at the Rochester Public Library through October 30, 2021.

“In 2011, we held the first Art of the Book exhibit in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rochester Public Library. At the time, we wanted to celebrate what has been at the core of libraries for centuries–the book. We marveled over the intricate interpretations of this humble format, and we were thrilled with the response to the exhibit from the community.”

“In subsequent years, the exhibit has grown to include entries from all over the world, featuring well-known artists for their exquisite work. We have built a reputation worldwide among book artists, and we are so pleased to see that reputation upheld.

Books continue to ensnare the imagination, both for their form and content. Artists manipulate those two components to create breathtaking, mind-bending works of art that tease and cajole people to consider the intricacies of paper, ink, words, and meaning.

In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary, Paper Sculpture has been added as a new category, to  celebrate the extraordinary use of paper, in any art form that combines or shapes papers.”

Artist Books are…

works of art realized in the form of a book. They are often published in small editions, though sometimes they are produced as one-of-a-kind objects referred to as ‘unique.’ Artist Books have employed a wide range of forms including scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas, or loose items contained in a box, as well as bound printed sheets. Artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, but the artist book is primarily a late 20th century art form.

Altered Books are…
any book, old or new, that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art. They can be rebound, painted, cut, burned, folded, added to, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, drilled or otherwise adorned…and yes, it is legal. They can also be composed entirely of unique materials.

Paper Sculptures are…
artworks created as sculptures using paper in some form as the predominant medium. These sculptures are three-dimensional and can be either free-standing or bas relief and would be considered art forms in themselves.  Paper sculpture can be functional or non-functional with attention to pushing the limits of how paper can be used and explores paper in inventive and unique ways.

July 9, 2021: Show opens
October 30, 2021: Exhibition closes

Join us for the virtual and in-person reception:
 Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 5:30 Pm – 7 PM, and invite you to join us either in person or virtually via Zoom.

If you would like to join us virtually, we will start at 5:45 PM with a tour of the exhibit and presentation of awards, Zoom invite below.
Topic: Art of the Book Reception
Time: Sep 29, 2021 05:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81326994757?pwd=aTVlY2NPZ3dab1hXU0lvSUJEaGQ2Zz09

Meeting ID: 813 2699 4757
Passcode: 133584
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,81326994757#,,,,*133584# US (New York)
+13126266799,,81326994757#,,,,*133584# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 813 2699 4757
Passcode: 133584
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kc4tNRNDRu
For further information contact: Alicia Gunther at (585) 428-8053

View the show online:  AOB_2021_Program (1)

View the show IN PERSON:

Rochester Public Library
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604 United States + Google Map
Phone: 585- 428-8053
Website: https://roccitylibrary.org/artofthebook/

Making Journals at the Granada Hills Branch Library

By

 

It was a pleasure to lead a “journal-making” workshop/program at the Granada Hills Branch Library as part of my Artist Residency there, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Who knew creating a journal, traditionally a place to record daily thoughts, ideas, activities, fears, concerns, dreams and wishes would be so salient?


Families joined together to learn how to fold a “signature” (gathering of folded pages),


glue cover and spine boards to white-prepped canvas to create the book structure and “house” the pages,


then sew the signature  into the book through the spine using durable, earthy  hemp cord.


Having exerted this labor to create their book structure,  participants had the glorious pleasure of developing and embellishing their journals with decorative papers, washi tape, markers, beads, and other collage materials. The canvas book covering, functioning as a book cloth is a wonderful surface for painting, stamping, printmaking, stenciling and any other wet or dry media.

May journaling help all and any through this very difficult time we are in.
Journal on!

Feeding our Souls: Making Recipe Books at the Granada Hills Branch Library

By

As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, I led a “Recipe Book” workshop for the community, showing participants how to create an accordion-fold book with pockets to hold treasured recipes old and new.
Families and participants of various ages joined us, and make beautiful, whimsical and striking books
   
So much fun to see the makers show and share their creations!
 
 
Absolutely beautiful! 

From the Outside In: Artist Residency Culmination at the Sunland-Tujunga Library

By

I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) students.

I taught the fun and fascinating flag book structure, and the stellar English VAPA teacher Mrs. Leserman worked with the students in class between the workshops to develop their books.

To connect the project with her VAPA English Curriculum which included the study of J.D. Salinger‘s Catcher in the Rye,  she had the students develop the outsides of their books to reflect the ways they felt they were being seen, and how they wanted to be seen by the outside world, and then directed them to develop the inside flag pages to express how they actually felt on the inside.

On February 15th, we held a Residency Culmination event at the Library, featuring the  VAPA students OUTSIDE-INSIDE flag books. Viewers were intrigued and moved to see these revelatory books, which shared so much about their makers. Expressive, brave, unique,m beautiful, these works offer a glimpse into what it is to be a freshman in High School today.

Bravo.

 

Indeed.

Sunland-Tujunga: Artist Residency Culmination Event!

By

I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) English students.

On February 15th, we held a Residency Culmination event at the Library, complete with bookmaking activities, refreshments, and an exhibition of hand-made books created by adults participating in the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group, and VAPA students.

We had a blast!


Three bookmaking projects were running in the Community Room.


Mother and Daughter work side by side.


A member of the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group stands by her handmade book.


Patiently creating detail with tiny butterfly shapes.


Another Mom and Daughter team…artists working together.


Young adult artist proudly shares her creations.

Young artist from the VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) magnet at neighboring Verdugo Hills High School and her flag book created in a two workshop series held in her freshman VAPA English class. The books contrasted how students wanted to present themselves and how they felt they were perceived on the outside (exterior book covers) with how they feel on the inside- the flag pages).

It has been very moving to see makers create and share works which reveal them on various levels.

Gratitudes!