University Libraries Press Release

Contact: Melissa Cox Norris, Director of Library Communications, (513) 556-1558 or melissa.norris@uc.edu

Books of Art in the DAAP Library

March 20, 2008 –Imagine running a book shop that is more like an art gallery containing hundreds of books that are original works of art by many of this country’s most acclaimed book artists? Then imagine packing those books up twice a year, in your van, and traveling across the country to art libraries across the U.S. to share your enthusiasm and love for this unique publication format with librarians, artists, students, and faculty. Well, this is exactly what Bill and Vicky Stewart, proprietors of Vamp & Tramp Booksellers, in Birmingham, Alabama, do.

In November, the Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) Library was fortunate to host the Stewarts for an entire day. During their visit to DAAP, the Stewarts gave presentations to students in foundation design and studio art, as well as to librarians and members of the Cincinnati Book Arts Society. The excitement over the artists’ book collection was palatable. As Bill stated: “It was a special experience to see UC’s DAAP students meet artists’ books. For many, I think it was a first time. Their initial reaction again and again was a smile, a laugh, a gasp. I knew we had done what we wanted to, what we could. They are at least smitten, and primed for the deeper alchemy of artists’ books to begin.”

In 1995, Bill and Vicky Stewart, he, a lapsed high school English teacher and she, a corporate VP, opened Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers, LLC, selling 20th-century literary and mystery first editions — having no idea artists’ books existed. Three years later serendipity intervened when at a book fair they stumbled across Ron King's Circle Press’s (one of the world’s most revered book artists) edition of Antony and Cleopatra. They said — out loud, Bill swears — “Wow.” Today they deal only in contemporary fine press and artists’ books, representing more than 200 presses and artists. They spend much of the year as circuit riders, taking their traveling gallery of works to institutions across the U.S., sharing wherever they can.

The DAAP Library has a growing collection of artists’ books as more and more students and faculty are turning their attention to these unique handmade publications. Perhaps their popularity can be attributed to the desire to connect with something real and tangible. In this age of computer access and digital information, artist’s books provide a unique way to study not only the graphic arts (fine paper, printing, binding) but an opportunity for unique self expression. Many of the books in the DAAP Library collection represent powerful personal expressions that focus on contemporary issues of our time.

One such book artist is British artist Heather Weston. Her book, A Diction, recently acquired by the DAAP Library, explores the complex emotional aspects of denial through the eyes of an alcoholic. As described on the Vamp & Tramp Web site: “the book utilizes the page shape of a pint glass, and by doing this, the angled unfolding of the book’s monologue creates a full circle when open that carries the visual and structural metaphor of the cycle of addiction.” For the full affect, the book is printed on Gmund Bier paper made of recycled beer labels, pulp and beer fibers (hops, malt and yeast).

Julie Chen, owner of the Flying Fish Press in San Francisco, is another artist that intrigues students and faculty. Her works are complex objects that reflect many layers of thought. The Veil, also part of DAAP Library’s collection, represents personal thoughts on the status of contemporary women in the Middle East.

The collection also contains artists’ books created by DAAP faculty, such as the work of Kimberly Burleigh, Professor in the School of Art.

The Artists’ Book collection at the DAAP Library represents a wide range of artists and graphic techniques. The powerful messages in these unique publications are an inspiration and just as Ron King’s exquisite rendition of Shakespeare’s classic Antony and Cleopatra that prompted the Stewart’s to embrace this unique form of publication – there is no telling how artists’ books could inspire and motivate DAAP students to express themselves!

For further information on the Artists’ Book collection or to arrange a class visit, contact Jane.Carlin@uc.edu

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