The books remained open to the elements for the entire period of the installation. This resulted in bleaching out of certain pages of text, and the beginning stages of mold and mildew, and rust stains on the covers. Many of the books were destroyed as a result of this process. Rather than discarding them in the trash, they were delivered to a paper recycling plant after the installation to allow them to be utilized in producing new books and histories.
Between The Leaves
The books in the installation were selected by a mix of intention and chance. Each book was purchased used at the local Goodwill store, and followed certain guidelines. Some are fiction, some sociological, and others are religious or historical texts. They reference Jewish and Christian history, German and Hungarian culture, immigration, and more. in selecting these specific books, I pursued an investigation of the faith placed in learning through books about our own histories, and I’m questioning the stories and myths passed down through my family.
The installation includes 31 books, one for each year of my life. Each book is spiked through the cover by a vintage iron railroad spike, extended to 1’ in length by the addition of steel rods which work to both affix the books to the ground and also elevate them above the grass. The pages of the 31 books are free to move by the breezes, in the elements, or by the hands of the viewers.
This piece is a continuation of my exploration of personal history in relation to social history, with a specific focus on the concepts of memorials. This history is understood through stories and communications, rather than direct experience.
A site specific installation on the University of Colorado at Denver campus, From April 19th to May 7, 2007.
Situated in a grassy square in the center of campus, 31 books seem to float on air, their pages ruffling in the wind, yellowing and deteriorating in the sun. Each book is staked through its cover to a steel plate, lifting it above the grass, offering up the intimate knowledge within for those who wish to investigate. Selected for the specific meanings that sometimes remain even unconscious to me at this moment, these books tell one side of the story, one possible path to where I am now. What is next? It remains to be seen, for the final book in the installation remains blank...
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