F.A.Q.
What is this program about?
This program is about what happens when artists and writers take complete control of the book form.
Our study of poetry will emphasize the identification and development of a"body of work," work that demands and deserves to be collected into a specific unified form. Our study of book arts will span some of the tradition of fine bookmaking, the design of books, and the more contemporary engagements with the book form known as "artists' books." Our work on the letterpress will primarily be technical, though we will, in the context of design, discuss typography and perhaps even the influences of technology on media, knowledge, and art.
Who is this program for?
While we presume that this program will attract writers and artists and those who are interested in becoming a fusion of those disciplines, there are no prerequisites. It helps to be obsessive.
What will I get out of it?
At the very least, you will produce a unique volume or small edition of your work: a genuine piece of "book art." Because you will have a lot of freedom in the development of this project, you will have the opportunity to focus on the skills and ideas that you want to emphasize. You'll get regular critical feedback on your written and visual work, and you'll develop basic skills in bookbinding and letterpress printing (with the opportunity for some intermediate work).
What will the workload be like?
The overwhelming emphasis will be on studio work: writing, discussion of work, printing, and binding. All of these are demanding, labor-intensive crafts. Small projects will be assigned, particularly in the first 5 weeks, that will compel you to develop proficiency in setting type, printing, binding, and utilizing formal and conceptual approaches to books and language.
What will we be reading?
We'll be reading a wide range of poets, an introductory design text, and a number of articles and excerpts about bookbinding, book arts, and artists' books.
Can I do anything I want?
When it comes to your final project, your greatest constraint will be the materials and the time you have available. If you already have an idea of what you want to do, do your best to suspend it for a while, talk with us to get a sense of what is feasible. Better to finish something thoroughly than to end up with nothing half-baked.