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I make books because of the intimacy of scale and the tactile qualities
of paper textures, the smell of the ink, and the physical activity
involved in reading. There is the conceptual play of seeing only parts
of the "story", retaining images in the mind's eye, anticipation, visual
juxtaposition of surprise from turning one page to the next. It is a way
to make real the visual motions I construct in my works - the movements
across the page, implied directions, flowing colors and shapes. One's
own hands recreate the motions, while the mind is looking, reading,
thinking, guessing about why these words with this image.
The book is a classical form. Its function is accepted, known. Its feel
is familiar. My images within this form allow for a validity, a
"real"-ness, and "right"-ness. It is like seeing the truth. This comes
about by this acceptance of the knowledge in books and our familiarity
with its form.
But artists are also pointing out this tendency to blindly accept the
printed page, and what is the meaning of so many words. Where do the
words come from, who says them, and for what reasons? We all must be
wise to real meaning, and important and meaningful experiences. And
learn a willingness to follow curiosity and questions. The resource for
all of us is within books and by reading, because so many voices exist,
unclouded, within the pages of centuries. And when we "read" the voice
is inside ourselves.
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