2008 Winter Book: Winter Ink
Minnesota Center for Book Arts is proud to announce the 2008 Winter Book, Winter Ink, the twentieth annual in MCBA's series celebrating the handmade book.
Under the direction of MCBA Artistic Director Jeff Rathermel, three editions of Winter Ink are being produced, each letterpress printed by master printer Paulette Myers-Rich with assistance by numerous artists, interns and volunteers. Text by Laotian American poet Bryan Thao Worra is set in Optima.
Thao Worra's work frequently explores a wide range of social and cultural themes such as the transient nature of identity and home. His style is frequently experimental and draws from a variety of modern and contemporary influences.
One of the most widely published Laotian writers, Thao Worra's work has appeared in many anthologies and journals including Bamboo Among the Oaks, Paj Ntaub Voice, Whistling Shade, Urban Pioneer, Unarmed, the Asian Pacific Journal and the Journal of the Asian American Renaissance, among many others. Full-length collections include The Tuk-Tuk Diaries: My Dinner With Clusterbombs (2003) and On The Other Side Of The Eye (2007). He was a 2002 Playwrights' Center Many Voices Fellow and is an active member of the SatJaDham Lao Literary Project, working actively to promote the work of Laotian and Hmong artists and writers. Thao Worra has organized several public readings and exhibitions of Laotian and Asian American artists in Minnesota.
The Chapbook Edition (150 numbered copies) is composed of letterpress printed text and imagery on kozo paper with French folded pages stab bound between linen cardstock covers. Indigo Moriki and Navy Orgura Lace papers serve as end sheets. The frontice illustration is by Cathy Ryan and other illustrations, by order of appearance, were contributed by Patrick Vincent, Harriet C. Lievan, Scott Helmes, Sara Parr, and Elizabeth A. Riggle. Text is set in Optima. The Chapbook Edition was designed by Paulette Myers-Rich and Jeff Rathermel and bound by volunteers under their supervision.
The Standard Edition (50 numbered copies signed by the poet) was designed and bound by Sue Bjerke. It is composed of letterpress printed text and imagery on kozo paper with French folded pages stab bound between soft Chiyogami covers. Cover art and end sheets incorporating original sumi brushwork are by Georgia A. Greeley. The frontice illustration is by Cathy Ryan. Other illustrations, augmented by slip-sheets of olive Ogura Lace paper, were contributed by Patrick Vincent, Harriet C. Lievan, Scott Helmes, Sara Parr, and Elizabeth A. Riggle. Text is set in Optima. The Standard Edition is presented in a tri-fold case covered in Indigo Asahi book cloth and lined with Indigo Moriki paper.
The Deluxe Edition (26 lettered copies signed by the poet) was designed and bound by Jana Pullman. It is composed of letterpress printed text and imagery on kozo paper with French folded pages bound in green silk and presented in a threefold wrap around case covered in poppy Asahi book cloth. The frontice illustration, created and printed by Cathy Ryan, is on gampi paper and tipped into the book block. A suite of three additional prints by Cathy Ryan and original sumi ink work by Michael Waltz are presented in a similar case. Other illustrations in the edition were contributed by Patrick Vincent, Harriet C. Lievan, Scott Helmes, Sara Parr, and Elizabeth A. Riggle. An additional poem by Bryan Thao Worra, “Wisdom,” is presented in the Deluxe Edition with accompanying illustrations by Michael Waltz. Text is set in Optima. The two components of the deluxe edition are presented in a green Asahi book cloth covered slipcase.
MCBA wishes to thank Wet Paint Inc., Graphic Products Corporation and The Japanese Paper Place for their generous support.
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Can't wait to get your own copy of Winter Ink?
You can reserve your copy through The Shop at MCBA: visit in person or call 612.215.2520. Winter Book purchases help support the project as well as MCBA's programs and services for artists.
Prefer to order by mail? Download a printable order form here.
