vispoeologee is an eclectic amalgamation of visual literature — a broad term for the disciplines of visual poetry, concrete poetry and post-language writing. In the spirit of Fluxus publications, vispoelogee is a hands-on, gloves-off experience. Inside a utilitarian shell lies a rich array of colors, printing techniques, papers and visual interpretations. MCBA’s nineteenth annual Winter Book publication is more than a collectible. It’s also an adventure not soon to be forgotten.
The work of 27 international poets was selected by editors John Bennett, Thomas Cassidy and Scott Helmes. All three poets, who met via mail art, have corresponded with one another for decades. They are not only scholars of the literary art form, but also practitioners with international reputations. The 2007 Winter Book is available in three editions (Deluxe, Standard and Chapbook), each designed by MCBA Artistic Director Jeff Rathermel. Master printers Allison Chapman and Monica Edwards Larson used a variety of methods to reproduce the work, including letterpress, digital printing and relief printmaking. Helpers arrived from across the artistic community to assist in binding and assembling the editions, fulfilling the tradition of involving volunteers for the final touches of the annual Winter Book project.
The 2007 Winter Book is available in Deluxe, Standard and Chapbook Editions. The three editions were designed by MCBA Artistic Director Jeff Rathermel. Printers Allison Chapman and Monica Edwards Larson used a variety of methods to reproduce the work, including letterpress, digital printing and relief printmaking. Binders and collators arrived from all corners of the artistic community, fulfilling the Winter Book tradition of relying on volunteers for the final touches of a magnificent book.
The Chapbook ($40), numbered 1 through 225, is a 60-page, 7” x 9” hardcover volume with a multi-signature binding. The original pieces from the poets have been reproduced using letterpress or full-color digital printing. Included in the chapbook are a variety of tip-ins, fold-outs, centerfolds and inserts on a variety of paper: Mohawk superfine, Niddigan, Bienfang parchment, black Bugra, lava red Tiziano. The chapbook contains at least one work from all of the Winter Book artists as well as essays by the editors.
The Standard Edition ($225), numbered 1 through 100 and signed by the editors, includes the Chapbook with a special letterpress printed jacket on Italian patterned paper plus three supplemental folios, each 7” x 9”. Folio 1: She Says is a limited edition print of Mathew Rucker’s visual poem, a striking, highly embossed letterpress black print on black Arches Cover. Folio 2 is a selection of John M. Bennett visual poems created using wood type and calligraphic letter forms, reproduced digitally in full color. Folio 3 contains reproductions of two scores by Scott Helmes: Incantation for 6 Voices and Alphabet Haiku for 3 Voices Simultaneously accompanied by an audio CD recording of the works performed. All elements are housed in a custom archival phase box with string enclosure.
The Deluxe Edition ($600), lettered A through Z and signed by the editors, includes all elements of the Standard Edition plus many scintillating extras, all housed in a black archival drop front metal edged box (12.5” x 9.5” x 3”). The complete Kolsyrat, Vatten, Citronsyrat by Hartmut Andryczuk is a set of 10 digital prints housed in an archival rigid mylar box (5.75” wide x 7.5” long x 1.5” deep). A fourth folio contains all five components of Pig Concert Suite “16” (with quotations) by Serge Segay, and within a fifth folio is a full color digital reproduction of do (not) #5 by Wendy Collin Sorin. The Deluxe Edition also includes four “micro archives” (housed in tan metal edge archival boxes, 4” wide x 2.75“ high x 1.75” deep).
Text by 27 various artists
Edited by John M. Bennett, Thomas Cassidy and Scott Helmes
Designed by Jeff Rathermel
Printed by Allison Chapman and Monica Edwards Larson
