I enjoy public art that requires thought and action based on the observer, the kind of art that awakens playfulness and sparks a desire for adventure — the kind that whispers rather than shouts. I want to embark on a public art project that involves my harmonographs books beginning their lives in the Los Angeles Central Library.
I have an avid fascination with the power of the written word in its ability to disseminate ideas and incite action. I suppose I am as much a bibliophile as I am an artist. And it only seem natural that I would gravitate towards the public library – a haven for books and book lovers. I spent many recent months at public libraries where I spent long hours reading, writing and chatting with the librarians and library patrons.
In my last post, I wrote about my harmonograph art and my little book that I bound. I originally made this book just for myself but after months, I realized that my initial goal was selfish and perhaps a tad narrow minded. A few weeks ago, I realized that I need to do something with my book, that it needs to move.
Some words that come to mind when I think about this project are: collectibility, scavenger hunt, message-in-a-bottle, game. I love the idea of my books disguising themselves as library books and a secret community of people who have my books. I also like the thought that anyone could pick up my book and do anything with it. I’m going to try to create engagement, but we’ll see what happens.
Essentially, I want to the books to move…to people’s homes, their friends, other parts of the library, other countries. I want people to interact with these these books and have the authority to do what they will – but my hope is that I create engagement and at least a brief discussion about the nature of harmony in the Universe.
STEP 1: Make 12 books
This will be the most time consuming part of my project because I have to print, organize, fold, stitch and glue all books. Each book will be a little different, but they will all be picture books of my harmonograph art. I want to include the following in my books – artist statement and a handwritten note about why I placed the book in that specific location
STEP 2: ‘Hide’ the books in different parts of the library
The visualization of harmony and the harmonic process is the crux of my Harmongraphics art project. With the idea of harmony in mind, I want to hide my books in the genre sections that remind me that harmony exists in the Universe. Conversely, I also want to hide my books in the sections where I think harmony can be better integrated into that discipline or genre.
I plan to insert a handwritten note in each book about how harmony exists or how harmony can be integrated. I will probably do a reconnaissance mission into the depths of the LA Central Library to explore opportunities in book placement. There are about 19 sections and 8 floors at the Los Angeles Central Library and I want to be mindful of the places where I place my harmonograph books.
STEP 3: Wait
After I leave my precious books in the Central Library, there’s really not much I can do but wait. For what? I’m not sure. But I will be mindful that the pendulums of harmony will sway as they always do.