The Banned Book book
I made this book in response to a Call to Artists from King's Bookstore in Tacoma. Books were donated to an auction, the proceeds of which were used to buy new textbooks for the Tacoma School District. The annual auction takes place during Banned Books Week. Artists were not required to conform to any theme with the books, but I could not pass up such a tasty topic as censorship. Contributing artists had the opportunity to have their work on display at King's Books for the month before the auction.
I was delighted my book made a significant contribution for the school district. I do not know who bought it, but a friend called me several months later to let me know my book was in a beautiful exhibit "Text as Art" at SeaTac airport.
Visiting my book at SeaTac. I had to see it to believe it!
At home in the construction zone...
The book fit into a case which was meant to look like a jail. Behind the bars is a transparent image of a human brain. A sign warns: "Caution! Intellectual Freedom Ahead"
Each individual windowpane pocket contains a small book. Much of the text is from the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights. There are also several quotes about banned books such as: "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them. "
Joseph Alexandrovitch Brodsky, Russian-American poet
"The message of Banned Books Week is more than the freedom to choose, and the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. The essential message of Banned Books Week is the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them."
The inspiration for this book came from a design by artist Michael Jacobs. Learn more about his incredible creations at www.thecreativezone.com
This page was last updated: May 4, 2008
