KEYNOTE ADDRESS
10:00 am
Books and art often make a difference, we think. But are they in fact “agents of social change”? Keynote speaker John Risseeuw examines why books and art with political and social themes are made, what purposes they serve, and what lasting effects they have. From Holbein, Goya and Picasso to Susan King, Eric Avery and Combat Paper, graphic mediums have provided the means and opportunity to communicate with large numbers of people. Using these examples and his own works like the Paper Landmine Print Project, Risseeuw poses questions and challenges for those creating artist’s books.

For over four decades, artist and Arizona State University professor John Risseeuw’s work has touched on political and social themes including corruption, equal rights, fascism, illegal wars and arms proliferation. Through compelling content and unique creative approaches, Risseeuw offers a distinctive perspective on the role of art as an agent of social change.

Book Art Biennial continues with two engaging panel discussions
expanding upon questions posed by Risseeuw:

PANEL DISCUSSION ONE
Artists’ Books as Agents of Social Change: A Tool Kit
1:00 pm
Artists have used structural enhancements, humor, surprise and shock in addition to image and text to raise social awareness. What else comprises the artists’ tool kit when shaping a voice in service to a message? Explore “Artists’ Books as Agents of Social Change” with artist, gallery owner and social advocate Susan Hensel; sculptural and altered book artist Jennifer Hibbard; and printmaker and political artist Mike Elko. The panel will be moderated by celebrated book artist, designer and educator Scott McCarney (Rochester, NY).

PANEL DISCUSSION TWO
Book: The Object
3:00 pm
What are the strengths and challenges of working with an interactive, time-based, sequential artwork whose strengths lie in a one-to-one, intimate connection with a viewer/reader? This question is explored through the lens of craft and ephemerality and the material aspects of books that contribute to their effectiveness in "Book: The Object". Panelists include Wellesley College Special Collections Librarian Ruth Rogers (Wellesley, MA); Minneapolis College of Art and Design fine arts chair Karen Wirth; and sculptor and University of Minnesota art professor Tom Rose. Moderating this engaging topic is the 2009 Minnesota Book Artist Award winner, artist and educator Paulette Myers-Rich.


EXHIBITIONS
Several exhibitions are on view at MCBA addressing some of the questions raised during Book Art Biennial. In the Open Book Cowles Literary Commons, view an exhibition based on the Biennial’s theme Mature Content: The Artist’s Book as Advocate. This collection of artists’ books and prints demonstrates the power of art in the fields of public advocacy and activism.

Independent Variables: Contemporary Zine Publications, an interactive celebration of independent voices and democratic art, is on view in the Open Book Lobby Gallery.

In our main gallery, MCBA hosts the Guild of Book Workers triennial exhibition Marking Time, a nationally touring exhibition of work inspired by the notion of time. Jurors for the exhibition include North Bennet Street School bookbinding instructor Jeffrey Altepeter; book and installation artist, paper sculptor and teacher Melissa Jay Craig; and past Guild of Book Workers exhibits chair, binder, and Bonefolder publisher Peter Verheyen.

Work from the five MCBA Prize finalists -- Jan Owen (Belfast, Maine); Clifton Meador (Chicago, Illinois); Simon Redington (London, United Kingdom); Julie Chen (Berkeley, California) Veronika Schäpers (Tokyo, Japan) -- will also be on display in the Open Book Lobby Gallery during Book Art Biennial.

 

EVENING: THE MCBA PRIZE CELEBRATION
6:00 - 9:00pm

Congratulations to Veronika Schäpers, recipient of the inaugural MCBA Prize!
Learn more about the MCBA Prize and view the works here.

The crown jewel of Book Art Biennial is The MCBA Prize. This new award is the first in the United States to recognize book art from across the field and around the world. The MCBA Prize celebrates the diversity of book art and encourages discussion rather than limiting recognition to one aspect of this vital field. A distinguished panel of jurors, leaders in the field of book arts, reviewed over 110 submissions from 10 nations around the world, and narrowed the field to five finalists. The finalists' work will be on display at MCBA beginning July 21, with the announcement of the winning work at this evening's award ceremony. The winner also receives a $2,500 cash award; finalists receive $500 cash awards.

At the close of Book Art Biennial, the MCBA Prize celebration evening begins! Enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live jazz while you mingle with artists and special guests in MCBA's gallery. Then attend the evening's program and witness the presentation of the inaugural MCBA Prize. Stay and celebrate with champagne and a dessert buffet following the ceremony.