Instructor Contact Information:
Peter Verheyen
Preservation and Digital Access Librarian
Syracuse University Library
443-9756
pdverhey@syr.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment at Special Collections Research Center, 6th Floor, E. S. Bird
Library. Mon-Wed, Fri, 8am - 4:00pm.
Class Listserv:
All students will be added to the class listserv, prt552@listserv.syr.edu.
The list will be used for general discussion between classes, technical Q&A,
sharing of resources, … Participation on the listserv will be weighted
as part of class participation.
Class Website:
The class website, well you're there. This is where the syllabus and all assignments
as well as links to other resources and bibliographies will be posted.
Course Goals and Objectives:
- To introduce students to the history of the book, the book arts, and artist's
books
- To provide students with solid foundation in craft techniques as they relate
to the book arts including working with materials and developing appropriate
structures. This will be through:
- Working in multiples
- Studying and researching structures
- To develop an understanding of the role of text and imagery in the book.
- To curate and assemble an exhibit of works to be shown in E.S. Bird Library
during the second half of the Semester.
Successful completion of this class will require the student to: be conscientious
in attendance; pay attention and take notes; research structures and topics
of interest in the Library and online; work to achieve the highest level of
craft (neatness and preciseness); self-initiated research and problem solving;
creativity; risk-taking.
Students will expected to come to class prepared to show and discuss their
work with an open and playful mind.
Students will be expected to apply the breadth of their academic and artistic
background and expertise to class assignments.
As assignments cannot be accomplished during class time (Thursdays, 1:30-6)
alone, students should expect to spend approximately 6 hours minimum per week
outside of class. All assignments will be due at the beginning of class.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance in class is mandatory. More than 3 absences during one semester
will lower your grade. More than 3 late attendances will be considered an absence.
Students who fail to do final clean-up will not receive a grade. Students who
fail to clean up after themselves will receive a lowered grade. A student with
a medical excuse is given extra help in studio work.
Lab Fee:
Lab fees covers the cost basic tool kit, book board, threads, book cloth, miscellaneous
studio costs. All other tools and supplies are responsibility of the student.
Grading:
- Final Portfolio: 50% of final grade
Assigned work, responsibility for growth, risk-taking, focus and resolution
in image-making, creativity, personal expression, specific problem solving,
formal resolution, appropriate care and craft.
- Class assignments: 25% of final grade
Successful completion of weekly assignments
- Class Participation: 25% of final grade
Attendance, attention, punctuality, progress, participation in class and critiques,
overall studio behavior.
Successful performance in the above areas will result in a B grade.
Exceptional performance will result in an A grade. In addition to excellent
attendance, participation, and quality of work, the semester's work must have
what this instructor considers to be superior creativity and individual expression
and rigorous problem-solving. This is not necessarily within the control of
the student, and is difficult to achieve at will. Serious and committed effort
of an unusual level will assist the student in this, but cannot be guaranteed.
Individual and creative vision is, nevertheless, a critical component in the
development of an excellent student of art and will be considered in grading.
Less than successful performance in any of the above areas, especially attendance,
will result in a C or potentially lower grade.
PRT 552 COURSE OUTLINE
The course content is arranged in a sequence of 14 hands-on workshops exposing
students to various procedures of eastern and western book forms, adhesive and
non-adhesive bindings, enclosures, and experimental book forms. With all assignments
experimentation with materials, structure, and form is stressed. However, in
all cases content, form, structure, and materials must work together towards
creating a complete work. In addition suitability of materials for a structure,
neatness, and precision of craft will be expected for all works. Though not
required, students are encouraged to make use of text and/or imagery in all
homework assignments. NOTE: Content will be required for all major assignments
- 1, 2, and 3.
NOTE: schedule and assignments may change during the semester.
WEEK 1: 1/18
- 1/18 INTRODUCTION TO COURSE: Review of syllabus, expectations, supplies,
safety…
- JAPANESE STAB BINDING: HW: create 2 new books using Japanese stab binding
technique ( one with a cover).
WEEK 2: 1/25
- Meet in Special Collections Research Center, 6th Floor, E.S. Bird Library.
Activities to include: description of book arts related library resources;
overview of the history of the book; examination and discussion of exemplars
from the Special Collections Research Center's holdings; tour of Conservation
Lab and description of resources available for students.
WEEK 3: 2/1
- CONCERTINA / ACCORDION BINDING: Review of homework (stab/side sewn books).
HW: create 2 concertina / accordion fold bindings using the basic technique
and derivative.
- ASSIGNMENT 1 - The complete book. Assignment
due February 22.
WEEK 4: 2/8
- FLAGBOOKS: Review of homework (concertina / stab sewn books). HW: create
2 flagbooks one of which must make use of a single image.
WEEK 5: 2/15
- SEWN BOOKS: Introduction to sewn bindings (single/multiple signatures).
Review of homework (Flagbooks). How to layout a multi-page book for production.
Individual meetings about projects. HW: create 2 new books using the techniques
demonstrated.
WEEK 6: 2/22
- ASSIGNMENT 2 - EXHIBITION PREPARATION: Review,
comparison, and contrast of structures learned. Discussion of individual exhibit
projects; review of "entry process;" begin work on projects. ALL
PROJECTS WILL BE DUE 3/8.
WEEK 7: 3/1
- ENCLOSURES: Portfolios and slipcases; demonstration of decorative pastepaper
technique. HW: create 4 enclosures, two of each type for works already created
in class.
WEEK 8: 3/8
- CLAM SHELL BOX DEMONSTRATION: Handouts on soft wraps, albums, portfolios,
boxes. INTRODUCTION TO THE "ALTERNATIVE" STRUCTURE AND SCULPTURAL
BOOK. HW: research other structures/techniques not covered in class select
a structure based on example, describe why you think the artist selected that
structure, does it work, if not why, and make your own version of that structure
using your own content.
- ASSIGNMENT 2 WORKS AND DOCUMENTATION DUE
WEEK 9: 3/15
- NO CLASS (spring break). EXTRA CREDIT: Any students not leaving town are
invited to help prepare and install class exhibit.
WEEK 10: 3/22
- PRINCIPLES OF EDITIONING: Review of "alternative" structures and
sculptural books. HW: Select one of the structures learned and construct jigs
to facilitate completion of an edition at least 10 multiples. Think about
the structure you have selected to edition and how jigs can be used to streamline
workflow and increase accuracy. You must be able to explain the purpose of
each jig and demonstrate how it works using an actual sample.
WEEK 11: 3/29
- ASSIGNMENT 3 - FINAL PROJECT: Review of
jigs. HW: Drawing on everything covered in class and your own research begin
thinking about final project which will be created in an edition of at least
3, 1 copy of which will be deposited with the Printmaking Department and 1
copy of which will be deposited with the Special Collections Research Center.
WEEK 12: 4/5
- ASSIGNMENT 3 - FINAL PROJECT: Discussion and approval of final project concepts.
WEEK 13: 4/12
- ASSIGNMENT 3 - FINAL PROJECT: Work day
WEEK 14: 4/19
- Jurying and selection of Central New York Book Arts exhibition: Meet in
Special Collections Research Center, 6th floor, E.S. Bird Library.
The Special Collections Research Center
will be hosting a regional book arts exhibition during the summer. Students
in this class will jury the exhibition from entries received and discuss the
merits of the work based on discussions in class, readings, and other experiences.
Intent will be to jury an exhibition that includes all aspects of the book
arts including traditional bookbinding, artist's books, and other expressions
of book arts related craft from the entries received. For examples see the
last regional book arts
exhibit shown at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn. Purpose
of the "exercise" will be to broaden the students awareness of the
book arts in general and to familiarize them with the exhibitions entry process.
- Participants in this class will receive the entry guidelines and deadlines,
and are welcome to submit work for the exhibition, but note that it will not
be included as part of the requirements of the class.
WEEK 15: 4/26
- LAST CLASS: Final individual CRITIQUES of final project. Studio clean-up.
