This winter the Walker Art Center turns bookish with a season of events surrounding Text/Messages: Books by Artists, an exhibition of works from the museum’s collection and library opening on December 18. Over the past three decades, the Walker has amassed a significant collection of books by artists. This show highlights this important trove of material, showcasing examples from a broad range of artistic movements, book structures, concepts and narratives. Many of the works are sculptural, multidimensional, or made of material other than paper—some have no pages at all. “Books have historically been an important arena for artists,” says exhibition co-curator Siri Engberg. “In addition to conceiving works as books, many artists today are also engaged with a more abstract notion of ‘book,’ and where that idea can lead them in making a work of art.”
In celebration of this exhibition and all things book-like, the Walker teams up with Minnesota Center for Book Arts, mnartists.org, and Rain Taxi Review of Books to present Multiples Mall: A Bookish Fair on Saturday, February 21 from 11 am – 4 pm at the Walker. This day of festivities includes tours of the exhibition, a presentation on the history of chapbooks by Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer, and an artists’ book fair and sale open for browsing throughout the afternoon. This is an opportunity to gather and showcase the creative talents of Minnesota’s thriving book arts and literary communities and for an artistic exchange between makers themselves and the general public.
Minnesota artists are invited to submit an application for participation in the fair portion of Multiples Mall. Organizers are looking for work that exists within the elastic discipline of book arts, including artist-made books, chapbooks, fine press work, graphic design, artful zines, and multiples that claim a relationship to the form or concept of the “book.”
Each selected artist will have four feet of table space to display their wares and the opportunity to have work for sale by the Walker shop during the event.
SUBMISSIONS PROCESS
Participants will be chosen based on the appropriateness of their work for this event by a panel of representatives from each presenting organization. To be considered for inclusion in Multiples Mall, please email the following to submit@mnartists.org .
1. Up to five images of your work that represents what you would display
Digital images should be saved as JPEGs and sized to 96 pixels/inch and measure 7 inches (or 672 pixels) on the longest side. Images must be labeled with a number and last name.
For example: 01smith.jpeg, 02smith.jpeg, etc.
2. A resume with contact information
3. A brief explanation of how you think your work relates conceptually or formally to the “book.” (150 words or less)
All submissions must be received by midnight on MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 to be considered. Participants will be notified by December 19th.
Please direct questions about digital submissions to scott.stulen@walkerart.org.
For general questions, email sarah.peters@walkerart.org
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