Book Art - the future of books?

The thought of hacking up books is a slightly disturbing image for me, that is until I saw these 'book art' sculptures. A new trend of cutting up and redesigning books into aesthetic sculptures and practical objects, such as chairs, shelves, vases and even lights. I like this idea of taking an existing object like a book and transforming it into something entirely different, changing the message of the story inside. Below are some examples that caught my eye, they all use books, but contain different messages and purposes.

Though I find the concept of taking this traditional medium and turning into something innovative and beautiful fascinating, I cant help but think it sad. The question that comes to mind - is this all that is left for books today? I love the tactile nature of books, the cover designs, even the smell. I am probably one of the few people that still has a library card. However with growing use of the internet and the introduction of e-books and online magazines, is there a future for books? 

There are obvious environmental benefits to e-books, having been looking at sustainable design, they fit into this category very well. Despite this, I cannot imagine being able to concentrate reading a story on my computer. When reading a book, you can pick it up and dip in and out when you like, this would not be so easy using a computer. I enjoy turning the pages of a book and the tangible experience that e-books could not replace. This is an issue I have found myself thinking a lot about recently, I love the medium of print, it has a uniqueness that online doesn't posses. However with environmental problems and the growth of digital medium, who knows, libraries may one day become galleries for book art. 

On a more positive note, these sculptures take something old and used and reinvent it into something new, something that can be done with anything. I particularly like the book light shades, at a glance, I didn't notice that they were made from. The rest I have chosen because they use books in an innovative and visually appealing way. 

'It's not how good you are, It's how good you want to be'

Paul Arden has written several books on advertising and motivation, having sold more than half a million copies I thought this one must be worth reading after being drawn in by the intriguing title. Paul Arden is known throughout the advertising industry as a creative genius, however sadly died last year. He was creative director at Saatchi and Saatchi and worked there for fifteen years. Responsible for campaigns such as British Airways, Silk Cut, The Independent, and Toyota, he has left quite an impression upon the advertising world. I was therefore interested to hear his words of wisdom. 

'Its not how good you are, it's how good you want to be' is a witty and entertaining guide to making the most of yourself. Arden offers lessons of advertising and business. As a student this book is very helpful, giving an insight into the professional world of advertising and how to succeed. Arden also emphasises the need for mistakes and criticism to learn and improve. "The person who doesn't make mistakes is unlikely to make anything". Saying it is better to do something wrong and use your initiative than not do anything at all. Most relevant to me, he states that we should not look for praise in our work, but seek criticism and ask what is wrong with it. So often I feel disheartened from negative feedback, but rather than take it to heart I need to look at it constructively. After all there is nothing to be learnt from a tutor telling us how good our work is. I think this is a very important lesson to take from this book; to take a more positive attitude to mistakes and criticism. That and the need to aim high and be as motivated as possible.

Here are a few quotes that stood out for me:

"Nearly all rich and powerful people are not notably talented, educated, charming or good looking"

"Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have"

"Talent helps but it wont take you as far as ambition"

"Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great"

"Aim beyond what you are capable of" 

Guess Who? The many Faces of Noma Bar

Noma Bar is an artist I have recently come across and I have taken an instant liking to his striking and genius illustrations. A collection of his work has just been published titled 'guess who: the many faces of Noma Bar'. His illustrations are of celebrities and political figures, drawn using symbols to convey the character or person. The portraits are produced from very few elements, using negative space, which gives Noma Bar a minimalist but very characteristic style. For instance, Uri Geller's face is created from a bent spoon. The symbol in the illustrations gives us a clue as to who the person is. The book is very entertaining and I find his illustrations extremely clever and graphically interesting. I cant believe how much they look like the characters they are supposed to be using so few and basic elements.

Bob Dylan

Margaret Thatcher

Uri Geller

Harry Potter

Ricky Gervais

'Sketches' 1941-2005 Jan Kaplicky

Whilst visiting London last weekend I found time to take a look at the current exhibition at the Design Museum: 'Remembering Jan Kaplicky - Architect of the Future'. After walking for an hour from the nearest tube station, trying to find a poorly signed Design Museum, through a maze of streets, most of which in the wrong direction, I finally arrived at what turned out to be a rather disappointing exhibition. However, downstairs in the gallery's shop I found this intriguing book that had the inspiration I was looking for, that the exhibition had lacked.

'Sketches' is a unique book compiled from 60 years of Kaplicky's hand drawn sketches. These illustrations look so rare in todays digital world, their primitive, simple style is striking and full of character when compared to the far more clinical style a computer produces. They almost look as though they are quickly scribbled down as an idea has just been realised. The book consists of initial, very rough sketches and ideas, to more developed whole buildings or detailed, single elements. It is a very intimate experience to look through Kaplicky's sketches in this way, showing his chain of thought and private workings, most of which have never been made. The book is almost like a diary or log book in which the artist has developed over his lifetime and makes it feel very personal to the reader. 

Dreams From My Father

I am currently reading Barack Obama's autobiography. Initially worried I may have found this book heavy going, and dare I say, a little boring as I am not particularly interested in politics, it has been very pleasantly surprising. This honest and beautifully written memoir retells Obama's improbable life story; of his parents- a black African father and a white American mother, of his childhood in Indonesia, and his personal struggle for identity and belonging. 

There are two reasons this book has held my attention throughout. First being Obama's descriptions of the race-relations in America as a child. I find it unbelievable how much society has changed in one mans lifetime, from being an outcast at his own school, to President of the United States. His story is one of self-creation, an embodiment of the American dream.

Most importantly, and most relevant to this blog, is Barack Obama's ability to communicate. It has assisted him to his political position and is what makes this book such a compelling and lyrical read. Obama's eloquence illustrates the power of language, how when used well it can communicate more effectively than any image. His words have the capacity to persuade, uplift and inspire his audience. All too often written language is overlooked in design and advertising, in favour of visual language. I think it is important not to forget the potential it bears. I wish to explore this further in my research, and find examples of language used powerfully in advertising and design. 

"With the right words everything could change- South Africa, the lives of the ghetto kids just a few miles away, my own tenuous place in the world." Barack Obama, 'Dreams From My Father'.