Friday 30 May 2008

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.

Thursday 29 May 2008

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.

Saturday 24 May 2008

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.

Friday 16 May 2008

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.

Thursday 15 May 2008

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.

Sunday 11 May 2008

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.

Thursday 8 May 2008

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.

Saturday 3 May 2008

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.

Thursday 1 May 2008

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.