Having completed making visual responses to a series of rules enforced within lockdown 2 at the beginning of February, we have now returned to this project and are beginning to exchange ideas around how to use these co-created surfaces as the starting point for a next artist book.
Format update: Each envelope will be folded into 8 sections and a single cut made to form a one sheet book. An additional single sewn section will be added at the front of the book to contain information such as the colophon and narrative; there was a further discussion about also adding an embellishment of some form. The books will be paired in accordance with our original list â one stop book with one start book, offering an edition of 10. Other considerations included utilising the used correction papers to form an element of the book cover
MEETING 1: Following on from first conversations detailing the format and presentation of STOP/START, our established FaceTime meeting was an opportunity to talk through ideas, share first research, and determine next steps. Approaches to art making seen in the March-April 2021issue of Book Arts Newsletter about mail art and connecting text and image within books resonated, and we began to talk around how we could add content to the single sewn section and also what this might be. Notions of scale were discussed, and possible solutions considered which led to 55 word flash fiction, and then employing just 3 words to represent the beginning, middle and end of our response to the lockdown rule. It may be that images are then produced in response to these words or that all 55 words are made use of. In order to explore this idea, we agreed to each produce an example of 55 word flash fiction, and edit this to 3 words to discuss next week.
MEETING 2: Having completed the task to generate a narrative around 55 word fiction, we began by discussing the differences in our approach and analysing each option; T had edited a blog post, whilst I had written a story in the third person based on the initial concept of the artwork. Through further editing one of Tâs narratives to just 28 words (the number of days in lockdown #2) we were able to formulate a methodology and will each produce ten 28 word descriptors; working independently and utilising the double page spread of the new 4pp section, typewriter tests will explore aspects of concrete poetry and include a system relating to the use of the black and red typewriter ribbon. Further decisions were made regarding the placement of the 4pp section and the embellishment detail â which will be generated through the exchange of pages, replicating the initial mail art project.
Other discussions around choice of paper stock and use of labels for titling will be confirmed as the project progresses.
MEETING 3: This meeting enabled the sharing of individual ideas following first typing trials exploring concrete poetry and the use of red and black typewriter ribbons. New systems were agreed around limiting the use of red text to one word and simplifying the arrangement of 28 words so that line breaks draw attention to words and phrases of importance. The choice of paper stock was also discussed and an initial agreement made to purchase Basildon Bond writing paper as a nod to the traditional letter writing process and the use of envelopes to contain our visual responses within this project. Further tests will be undertaken by each of us employing this new paper stock and typing methodology.
Alongside consideration of the 28 words, we also talked around the initial series of stop/start rules we had responded to. In preparation for including these within the final books, we agreed to clarify the wording of these returning to government web sites and articles produced within the second lockdown. Research will be shared via email and wording agreed at the next meeting.
MEETING 4: This meeting was a further opportunity to confirm decision making regarding the text based elements of the book. By reviewing the titles together, we were able to make adjustments and finalise the wording, research will be carried out to try and find appropriately coloured labels for this component. A broader discussion took place around the 28 words and our different approaches to the task, alternative solutions such as editing the story down to three words were eventually discarded before deciding upon combining the two original blog post titles to form a short narrative; various layouts will be trialled over the forthcoming week, and the positioning of the text matter will include the Basildon Bond watermark.
MEETING 5: Following on from further individual trials, this meeting enabled last details to be discussed around the arrangement and positioning of text, the use of colour and capital letters, and the non-use of full stops. First ideas were drawn, shared and agreed using the camera on FaceTime. Thinking through next tasks, we determined to produce 2 sets of text and post these to each other to enable alternative final embellishments to be added over the following weeks.
Alongside decision making around text and image, we also considered remaining tasks to be completed on the making day and how to present and package the final pairs of books making use of the given guidelines supplied with Basildon Bond writing paper.
meeting in the middle 