paper

(The paper-based art created at Dieu Donné would have surprised the old paper makers of Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Image from the NYPL Digital Gallery.)

It's the time of year for paper crafts–snowflakes, paper chains, and more. You might be making your own paper arts at home–I’m thinking of making a handful of the elegant paper decorations like those described on Design*Sponge a couple of weeks ago. But if your interest in the paper arts extends beyond the paper chain variety, I would recommend checking out an exhibit at Dieu Donné, the amazing paper arts workspace here in New York.

Now through January 5, 2008, Dieu Donné presents a retrospective exhibition of what will surely be challenging and inspiring work in handmade paper. The art was produced in collaboration through their Workspace Program for emerging artists over the last six years. The exhibition is curated by Patti Phillips, who will host a special panel discussion on artist workspaces at 6:30pm on December 21st.

If you’d like to explore more handmade paper art of this kind, you’ll find works at the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library by searching for Dieu Donné Papermill in Catnyp. You can also examine an assemblage by Jean Shin, who has participated in the Workspace Program. Shin, whose work is part of the Dieu Donné exhibition above, will also be part of the panel. You’ll never look at paper the same way again!

(Images from the NYPL Digital Gallery.)
Starting on November 19th (and continuing through January 1, 2008), the American Museum of Natural History will display its Origami Holiday Tree in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall. This annual tradition is always worth the trip, and this year’s display promises to be especially wonderful representations of “Fantastic Creatures: Mythic and Real.” So, for example, you will see both a unicorn (mythic) and a narwhal, the unicorn of the sea (real) hanging on the tree. Also planned are opportunities to learn the art of origami, as volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors this paper folding craft.
NYPL also can help you to learn about origami. A simple subject search in Catnyp using the term origami will turn up dozens of titles, many of which are held in the Asian and Middle Eastern Division. And if you want to learn this craft at home, you can check out and take home one of the hundreds of books and videos on origami held at NYPL’s branches, all quickly found by searching for the same subject term, origami. Happy folding!

Book arts-loving New Yorkers, mark your calendars, because the Editions/Artists’ Book Fair is coming to town. The Fair is open to the public Nov. 2nd-4th, at The Tunnel (261 Eleventh Avenue, near 27th St.). Admission is free, and hours are: Friday and Saturday from 11am to 7pm, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
There will be dozens of artists’ books here, and a range of materials, structures, and methods to check out. And if you find an an artist there and want to learn more about him or her, come into NYPL. For instance, if you take a liking to the work of artist Ryan McGinness, you can come in and look at NYPL’s copy of Installationview by McGinness as well. Enjoy!
(Promotional Poster image from NYPL Digital Gallery.)

If you feel an itch to create something today, head to the NYPL Tremont Branch (1866 Washington Avenue in the Bronx; 718-299-5177) this afternoon for a lesson in hand-making rubber stamps! Artist Danielle De Mers will show you how to carve your own unique design into a rubber template that you can use to stamp letters, cards, and stationery. This program was generously funded through the Cultural After School Adventure Program by New York City Council Member Joel Rivera and The City of New York. And, my thanks go to fellow librarian Sarah Jewell for sending this announcement along to me.
To read and learn more about stamping, check out the stacks at NYPL! One book to try is Stamping by Juliet Bawden. NYPL has 55 copies in multiple branches, so it should be easy to get into the stamp act.