Interview with a book artist June 19, 2008

The people of The Design Files did an interview with book artist Nicholas Jones. I thought you might be interested in his work and what he has to say about it. You can read the article here.

Pimp my Billy May 9, 2008

German designers have designed a gadget to go along with the famous Billy bookcases by IKEA. Since a couple of weeks, I too have these cases. They are not only cheep, but you can buy loads of accessories for them. The best part is, you do not have to be afraid that any additions will not be sold anymore next year.

The Pimp my Billy is a fun thing. I was immediately interested in it. It looks interesting, fun and the color is just right for my library. Until I saw the price. One can buy a whole room full of Billy’s for the price of this gadget. Click here to learn more.

PS. I will be out of the country next week for business. If I find any great bookstores in the German city of Heidelberg, I will let you know!

Altered Book Artists January 18, 2008

As you know, I love art and I love books. (Hence my competition! For more information, click here.) I have posted about ‘Altered Book Art’ before. Even though the artists destroy books, they make something beautiful out of them. (Who can forget the work of Brian Dettmer, to be found here.) I believe they love books and get inspired by them. If you like to see some altered book art, go to the category section and click ‘Art’.

You can also follow this link. It is a page of The International Society of Altered Book Artists. Get inspired and make something for my contest!

Take a seat! December 17, 2007

How hard is it to find a chair or something to sit on in the library? Usually they are taken up by people who spend all day reading the papers and stuff. The Dutch designer Jelte van Geest found an amazing solution for it. You get your own seat the moment you enter the library. And it stays with you the entire time. Sounds weird? Click the video below to see it in action!

Color Coordinate your Books! October 17, 2007

The hubby helps to find me links to post every once in a while. (Mostly when I am really desperate…) He found me this next link, which is quite dated. Since I never saw it before, chances are neither did you. It’s about this artist who took on the big task of color coordinating an entire bookstore. He sorted all the 20,000 books of the Adobe Books in San Francisco. The result is amazing. Click here to learn more.

Book Autopsies October 2, 2007

I have never seen something like this. As you know, I have posted a lot of book art. This guy, Brian Dettmer, takes it to a whole new level. My goodness, I cannot begin to describe what he does. Autopsy, what he calls it, is indeed the word that comes closest. But then in a non gruesome way. You have got to see this. Click here.  And here for more.  You can find a Wiki article on Dettmer here. 

 

Thanks to Marie-José for the link

 

Book art September 12, 2007

I have written about book art before. There is even a category with this name (”Art”), to be found in the side bar. Since this topic never seizes to intrigue me, I have found you some more amazing bookish art.

The prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in London have their own collection of book art in the National Art Library. You can find a selection of their pieces here. Click here to see some other amazing craftsmanship.

Another habit August 30, 2007

I admit, I am a smoker. “TankBooks” made the habit, or better the packaging, into an art form. The makers present literary classics in tiny books, packaged in cigarette packs. The six authors of the first batch are Joseph Conrad, Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Louis Stevenson and Leo Tolstoy.

This is what it’s all about, according to TankBooks: ”As one habit dies hard, another takes hold. The ban on smoking in public places comes into operation in the UK on July 1, 2007. Tank is launching a series of books designed to mimic cigarette packs – the same size, packaged in flip-top cartons with silver foil wrapping and sealed in cellophane”.

At the moment they are only sold in the UK at 6.99 pounds. As from March 2008, they will become available in other countries as well. At that point they will also release a new series of bookish cartons. The person responsible told me they will make four series of six titles per year from that point forward. Love the idea. I cannot wait for the moment they are available in The Netherlands! Click here to learn more.

 

PS

I would like to collect these books. Since I do not live in the UK, I cannot obtain the six books that are out now. If you live in the UK and would like to help me, please send me an e-mail.

National Library Highlights Tour August 30, 2007

The National Library of my country, The Netherlands, has put together a tour of their most important pieces. You can see the 100 highlights of the collection, in English! It varies from book bindings to literature and from woodcuts to typography. It is very interesting, even if you are not Dutch! Click here to go to the tour.

 

Bookish Wall Art August 30, 2007

Are the walls in your library a bit bland? Do you have some really bad books you do not know what to do with? I found the answer to your problems on You Tube! I got inspired and think of tackeling my first project this weekend. Click below to see the You Tube video, or click here to see some photo’s of the project.