New work.

It would appear that I am working on four books. Typical, just as the weather and Wimbledon are working in harmony, I find myself stuck at the bench.

The four books comprise of one speculative binding, two commissions and a competition book.

The speculative is Magic Books From Mexico. A King Penguin publication, the rarest of all their titles (so I am told) A Lovely book with fantastic illustrations.

With the original binding being damaged, I could take the opportunity to put a fresh binding on it.
After pulling the book, new end papers, end bands, re-sewing etc, I was able to turn my attention to the leather.



The leather (fair goat from the top company Hewit and Sons, though other tanners are available) was cut to size, the turn-ins pared with the Schärffix 2000 ( Please note other paring machines are available) The turn-in step is then removed with the paring knife and the first lot of dye applied.



Once the first application is dry the second dye stuff is applied. I enjoy working this way, being able to treat the leather as a canvas lets me have far more control over colour, texture and the like.
Onlays of about 0.2mm are glued to the surface and then Back Pared.



Oh what fun.... The object of back paring is to remove leather from the back of the skin, just in the areas where the on-lays are. This is not so difficult, however, with the various applications of dye the skin can become a little hard and more prone to not moving as easily in the paring machine. This can lead on to holes and lots of swearing.
The secret is to take of as little as possible (dust) with each pass through the paring machine until the desired thickness of leather is achieved.
The leather is then glued out and worked over the boards etc.



Once covered the book is pressed until dry, only in-filling, leather joints and further design work to go.

I have been asked to produce a book on the stuff I do.

I have been asked to produce a book on the stuff I do. I am thinking of doing that, technique, material manipulation and the like. I will only be producing a few as I think that my family may be a bit cheesed off if I started giving them out as Christmas gifts.
Place your orders now !

Sketch books

The front door of the AWG
Last night I attended my first meeting as a member, Guildsman, Brother what ever of The Art Workers Guild (AWG) The meeting was the chance for people to bring along their sketch books, chat about the contents and how this relates to their work. I have been to similar events with one of the other organisations I belong to, that ended in a few people bringing their egos and telling everyone how good they were (sad)

The wonderful thing about last night was in the diversity of the chats and the work on show. Stone masons, type setters, print artists, bow makers (for violin, Cello etc), lute maker, glass artist, writer to name but a few. Light hearted banter and intelligent questions from the audience were parried with aplomb, questions answered with care and attention. A charming and instructive evening. Free wine and ace sandwiches also made the evening a convivial one.

An early meeting of the Art Workers Guild.

A mini Studio 5 in Copenhagen

The first work shop. Much fun and a little laid back. The point of the work shop was to introduce as many people as possible to the making of the book. Each work shop was free with all the materials and tools brought over from Studio 5 in my luggage.


Out side the local bookbinders. Typical, even when I have free time, I spend it looking for bookbinders....


....leather shops, selling a vast variety of leather and.....


...stuff.


A top book shop with a very curious ceiling.

Above all was the overall feeling of being happy to be there. After all of the crap and disrespect I went through prior to Copenhagen, the welcome, honesty and respect for professionalism I was accorded will always be remembered.

Back from Copenhagen

After an all to short time in the wonderful city of Copenhagen, I am back in the studio with news.

First, it is with some disappointment that I am unable to do the lunch time Kyffin talk in Wales. As much as I wanted to do this talk, I found the travel requirements (limitations) of the 'Organiser' just beyond the pail and somewhat insulting.

This is the first engagement that I have had to pull out of.

I remember one lecture, a few years ago, that proved most difficult. Half way through my train journey to the venue we were informed that the station that I was due to change at had been destroyed by a bomb (I R A) I had a choice, the easy option being to turn back at the first chance or continue onwards. I continued, managed to get a message to the venue saying that I was delayed. I arrived some one and a half hours late with not one member of the audience having left. I did the talk, answered the questions and chatted with all, with no thought of how I was to get back home and to work the following morning. They had been so patient it was the very least I could do.

I will not bore you with all of the details of the return journey, needless to say I was at the bench as the first customer knocked at the door in the morning.

This all is brought into very sharp contrast with my time in Copenhagen.

From the very beginning the organisation was first rate. Being offered choice of times for travel (aeroplane) duration of stay, length of workshops, numbers etc etc.


After the task of getting to Copenhagen, I was met by my host, Birgit Dalum and given a short tour of Copenhagen. Once I had been shown to my room (a huge affair with en suite everything and own entrance !) I was given the chance to relax for the rest of the day.
The following morning found me in the exhibition/workshop venue, Gallery North (North Gallery, Norregade 7C, basement 1165 Copenhagen K) The owners of the gallery, charming and wonderful, left us to do what we wished with the space. After 3 or so hours we had finished the installation, cabinets and workshop space.



Books on purpose built stands, smaller works on plinths, larger books against the walls. All of this makes such a change from the usual book binding and book art exhibitions I have been involved with recently. The space around the works allows people to look and engage with the work without being cramped and feeling as if one is at a jumble sale.


Less robust works in a cabinet.


The workshop corner. The aim of the workshop was to introduce people to making the book with the minimum of equipment. I do so dislike workshops were the participants are encouraged to mickey mouse books, with little or no challenges and little worth.



Some of the students work was also put on display, a great idea and very encouraging for the individual ( remember that the workshops only lasted for one hour)

With the workshops being over two days, the private view and the first open day there was a little time to see the sights that Copenhagen is famed for.



The Mermaid. Tourists chancing the tide, slime covered rocks to have their picture taken with this iconic figure. You may be able to realise that I took this image from behind. This necessitated me clambering over terrain of the slimiest kind, before you ask, my Clarke's Desert Boots held firm not only to the rocks but also my dignity.


poster clad walls.

The last few hours before the plane left some time for shopping. Being in the book world the shops I end up in are predictable. Leather and book shops. More of that later.

Studio 5 Breaking News Flash

Dear World, I have a Web Site.
www.markcockrambooks.co.uk

The Raven Edgar Allen Poe

The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, a top writer.

A framed book, I have long held the thought that all to often books are kept on a shelf with either the spine visible or the edge of the box. Here is a possible answer to the issue of seeing the book and protecting it.


The book and the frame as one. The work can be hung on the wall or free standing. The Idea of the frame is also to extend the individual book.


The rear of the frame showing the inner tray that houses the book. The materials are diverse, from an antique ladies glove to mixed media.


The inner tray with book removed from the frame.


The tray is replaced into the frame, the image is still complete.


The binding. Texture and colour.


Detail of the front board.


Detail of the end papers and doublures.

A Series

For some time I have had a number of books with a good friend and book dealer J Heller (please see links) He is a very cool guy and represents a number of bookbinders and book artists.

Whilst selling some of my work he has returned some, the strength of the pound to the dollar does not help. The up side of this is the chance to be able to see my work and to allow you to see the variety of work I engage in.

A SERIES.

Detail of the box and label.


Detail of the inside of the box. The text is from an existing technical book.


Detail of the book in the box.


A Series is a series of articulated panels.


Detail of the first panel, photograph (from one of my glass negatives) mixed media and old-pressed plants from a bible dated 1799.


Another panel.


Detail.


The back panel.

A Series is derived from parts of other books. If there has to be a pigeon hole for it , then I would like to think of it as a sculptured assemblage.

Paper/Music Artist's Books.

June is just around the corner and will find me in Copenhagen for the first time.

As with nearly everything I do, it involves books.


Birgit Dalum, a past student of mine is having a show. Her work is fantastic and has to be seen, Google her and be prepared to be amazed. Her show is from the 6th to the 28th of June in the NORTH GALLERY, Norregade 7 C, basement 1165 Copenhagen K. Open wednesdays,thursdays, fridays and saturdays.



I am very pleased to say that I will be also exhibiting there and giving free work shops in book making on the 6th and 7th of June (please see the images) Spaces are limited, so if you find yourself in Copenhagen you may find this event of some interest.

Paint Box.

Sorting through a pile of old photographs and negs I happened upon a series of images/ compositions I took a long time ago. When I was at art college, a time when there was less traffic on the roads and the only hoody was a man called Robin.


(for Thea)

If I remember correctly, I think I called it 'Painted Skull' in any case I thought that it may make a change from the usual themes on the studio 5 blog.

The Flow gallery private view.

As private views go, the Flow P V went well. As the doors opened the keen, the collectors and the curious surged forward. I am led to understand that within the first half hour 15 or more books were bought, though this pace was not kept up all night red dots appeared at a regular pace.

I am happy to say that a number of past and present students and studio 5 members had red dots beside their work at the end of the evening.

The usual small cliques moved around the venue, rather like bees in a hive. The hum of voices ebbing and flowing as if on an invisible tide. Great fun, I am still very uncomfortable with such events but am learning.

Return to Anandwan

The sun is shining, the local church bells are doing their stuff, a perfect Sunday morning. Just reading through my emails, one from Anandwan, the box making course is on.

COVERED Beauty and Art in Contemporary Bookbinding 15 - 24 May 2008.

It has got round to the time of year when designer Bookbinders has an selling exhibition in London in the FLOW GALLERY (please see links to either Designer Bookbinders or the Flow Gallery)

It is usually a good show. If the private Preview View is the same as the previous years, then it will be a bit fraught. Collectors going for the usual names, the usual names hovering over their work telling everyone how good it is (They usually are right about their work being good) The small groups forming, the side long glances at work that perhaps challenges, does not have any gold on it, or sin apun sin, does not have the title of the book on the spine. I suppose it is a pretty normal P V.

The work I shall be putting forward for this years show and that are available to purchase are.......


Beyond Giving.


Sir Patrick Spens


The Rape of Masters

If you are interested in any of the above, go to the exhibition or contact me.

Gorilla/Guerilla book arts

Last week I took a day off to go to the Victoria and Albert museum to view the Blood on Paper exhibition. I found it very engaging but not much new stuff. As I entered, an information poster told me that the book was invented by the Romans ! That is news to me as I am sure that there were books before the Romans and what is meant by 'The Romans'?

One point that make me think about the book art genre is that many of the works where not made by the artists themselves, more they gave a series of ideas, drawings or designs to craftsmen and women to realise. The artists, who in the main have no idea of how to make a book became a designer only. The true work was done by trained bookbinders.

The work of Anslem Kiefer was top and I always find pleasure in being able to re-visit his work.

As I walked round the exhibition I hit on the notion of having a book on exhibition. I cut and folded a five pound note into a rudimentary book.
Just behind the 'High Altar' ,(towards the back of the exhibition, just passed the work of Kapoor) there is a void. It was in this void that I placed my book and exhibited it for some five minutes.



It is hardly earth shattering but it was fun, perhaps it is something that I should explore with more vigour.

The Studio 5 telephone answering machine.

The studio 5 telephone answering machine is somewhat dated and is powered largely by cups of tea. The usual morning scenario of the red light flashing, indicating a message has been left met me this morning. By now I have learnt that though someone has called they usually do not leave a message. The machine just issues a series of demented crackles, whistles and burps.



To put this into context we have to take a couple of steps back in time. A good friend of mine who is a top glass engraver has a studio a few doors away from studio 5. She suggested that I apply to become a member of the Art Workers Guild. I had to be nominated and then seconded, then a selection of my work examined by the selection committee. I was not allowed to be present at the meeting, all making the last few days difficult for me.

Getting back to the plot, this morning has been different a message was left on the answering machine. I was informed that my application was successful. A good start to the day.

The Rape of Masters. A book/box or single page book

Sometimes I revert to the traditional approach to the use of gold leaf in my work.



Gold finishing to the spine of 'The Rape of Masters' very traditional with five raised cords, single line with a red label. The work is held in a finishing press, my hand tool is home made.



The out side of the book/box has been knocked to give it a subtle patina of age, to knock the edges off. Various unctions are applied, the surface is rubbed with rags and steel wool. The finished result looks old without looking forced.



So to the content of the book/box. A series of objects with white washed images by Diego Velazquez, in particular 'Venus with Mirror'




Dice, syringe, clock parts, gold leaf, cobwebs and flies. All found in the studio, please do not ask about the syringe and the flies etc died of natural causes.





The text is on the doubler of the of the back board, typed with a red ribbon.







The Rape of Masters is a book/box but it could equally called a single page book. I will let you decide.