Philadelphia WCA Chapter Exhibits
Collaborative Handmade Book "Who We Are" by
Bonnie MacAllister
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"Who
We Are," on display in the Print and Picture department of
the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located at
1901 Vine Street. Photo, Alison Altergott. |
A collaborative idea emerged one year ago in February, 2003 as the
members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art were
sitting around Michelle Wilson's living room.
Wilson, co-President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Women's
Caucus for Art, describes the conception of the handmade book project,
"Who We Are." to be the product of fifteen visionaries.
"We asked ourselves how to join everyone's art together. We came
up with the idea of a book project. There was no limit on
creativity."
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"See" by Virginia Maksymowicz. digital print with Braille |
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"Who We Are," now finished with dash and panache, is
sitting in a display case in the Print and Picture department of the
Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located at 1901 Vine
Street. The exhibition continues until April 25.
"All members could participate. Printmakers, photographers--we
even had a CD in there," Wilson explains.
Folded like an accordion, the book is designed so that each piece
receives equal treatment and is keenly visible. Sculptor Virginia
Maksymowicz incorporated Braille into her work, creating a tactile and
three-dimensional finish in "See." Wilson's hauntingly
visceral collograph, titled "Wild Geese," is a captivating
example of the process of creating an etching from a collage. A
complicated, time-lapse automotive scenario is stirringly depicted in an
etching by Philadelphia chapter member Cynthia Back, titled, "24
Hours."
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"Wild Geese", collograph by Michelle Wilson |
Proving that a true, joint masterstroke can happen without
"breaking book," the collaborators hand-produced 30 copies of
the book for only $100. This feat was helped along by cool friendships
nurtured by the group. Donations came from the Rutgers Center for
Innovative Print and Paper and the Philadelphia Print Collaborative.
Strathmore provided paper for the cover, which was wrapped around the
book board. Hollander's Art Supply of Michigan donated the book board.
Chapter treasurer, Jessica Ramsey, gained access to blank books
through her father, a veteran bookmaker. Marie Elcin designed moquettes
for the project. Elcin's
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| "Where Are You Going?", a digital print of embroidery, by Marie Elcin |
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"Where Are You Going?", a digital
print of embroidery, moreover, is an alluring example of how an
innovative work sits appealingly in the folio, assembled during social
but lengthy, book- building meetings.
"Fifteen different people collaborated, and each created a
series of thirty pieces. Every book is identical," Wilson explains.
Wilson says this assembly line was especially remarkable,
"because everyone who participated received a copy, so exchange
became part of the whole project."
In February, co-President Michelle Ortiz presented, "Who We
Are," at the WCA National Conference in Seattle, Washington. The
creative space, Contemporary Millenium Art, in Orlando, Florida and
Galleria Tonantzin in San Juan Bautista, California are considering
presenting "Who We Are," according to Wilson. On May 29, the
book project will be showcased by the Philadelphia chapter during
Networking Day at a thematic event dubbed, "In Pursuit of Art and
Life." The DC chapter will also participate in this affair. Wilson
also mentions that WCA chapters across the United States are professing
their interest in producing their own collaborative book project.
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| "24
Hours" an etching by Cynthia Back |
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Philadelphia WCA meetings are held during the second Wednesday of
every month, at 7pm, at Robin's Bookstore, located at 108 South 13th
Street, Philadelphia. Meetings are free and open to the public--- even
those who are merely curious to learn more about WCA.
The Philadelphia Chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art also has a
group show titled "Dream" B-square gallery, located at 614
South 9th Street, running from May 1 to July 31.
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