About the Project
This fellowship invited students to explore the exciting world of book arts, focusing on the intersection of art, craftsmanship, and literature. Fellows engaged in hands-on learning and creative expression to explore bookmaking techniques by studying examples of historic bindings from the 16th through the 21st centuries in the holdings of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections Library. Students examined papers made from wood, plants, and other materials to test their properties and usability as writing surfaces and book coverings. Along the way, students also learned about various types of inks, fabrics, threads, and paints which were used to create an artist book of their own. Fellows had the opportunity to curate an exhibit which showcased exceptional books from Vanderbilt’s Special Collections Library as well as their own artist-inspired handmade books. Fellows also created social media posts about the books that inspired their creative process while documenting their own artists books from conception to final product.
Mentor
Teresa Gray
Fellows
Zhewei Xian; Laird Ruiz-Perez; Yoshiya Yano; Zhihe Zhang
Project
In addition to a physical exhibit at the Special Collections & University Archives, students also collaborated on a digital exhibit, Book as Art: Preserving Cultural Heritage and Knowledge. Read more about the Fellowship in this article.