My name is Kate, and I'm an aspiring book-artist. (If that sounds like I'm in a twelve-step program, well, I probably should be!) I'm very excited about my newest project. However, I can't do it alone, and I'm hoping you can help.
My book, tentatively titled Oxford and Leather, is about duality and the role of "make believe" in our lives. I'm focusing on people who live a mainstream life during the day - office workers, students, executives, retailers, parents, etc. - and who are a part of the goth subculture on their own time. I intend it to be respectful, pointed, and startling. I believe that both lifestyles are valid - two sides of one coin - and that this dual lifestyle is healthy, natural, and fun.
OAL will consist of paired photographs of a dozen or so people, one as they appear at work or school and one as they appear while "at play." These photographs will be taken by, or directed by, the subjects so that the reader sees them as they see themselves. Each subject has a great deal of artistic control.
This is where you come in.
I'm looking for volunteers to take photographs of themselves (either using a camera with timer or your choice of third-party photographer), following a loose set of guidelines, and email them to me by March 1.
If I use your photographs in my book I'll send you a copy when they're completed. (Handmade bookworks, even by less-established book-artists, are typically valued in excess of $50.)
All subjects will be identified in the book by first name and occupation (with the "daytime" image) and chosen name and role (with the "night" image). For example, I could have Jessica - Human Resources Coordinator alongside Shadow Rabbit. Third-party photographers will be credited in-text.
I've included some general guidelines for the photographs here. These are for the purposes of consistency, so that all images will physically and aesthetically fit in the book. There's also some legal-type information here that I encourage you to look at before sending me anything.
This will be an extremely limited edition - I estimate considerably fewer than 50 copies - and would not be a source of profit for me. There's no catch and no funny business. I'm a student doing this for the sake of art and exploration.
My dedicated email account for this project is oxford.and.leather@gmail.com, and I would be delighted to answer any questions you have. Please feel free to pass this link on to any friends you think might be interested.
Best wishes,
Kate
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
How You Can Help
Looking for fifteen minutes of fame or a book's-lifetime of immortality? Well, have I got an opportunity for you.
First, make sure you are comfortable with all of the fine print. Then:
Take two photographs of yourself, using a timer/tripod or a third party, and following these general guidelines:
Preferred format is .JPG or .PNG, between 200-300 DPI, and printable at up to 8x10 inches.
Submit your images and information to me via email.
Increase your chance of being included.
Ideally, I'm looking for good-quality, interesting pictures that show a sharp contrast between the daytime self and the nighttime self against a fairly neutral (thematically), consistent backdrop. The subject (you) should fill a majority of the frame; the photographs should show all or most of you (not just a headshot or from the waist up). My dream photos would be in sharp focus, B&W, with good lighting. The transformation between the mainstream and the goth personas would be dramatic and complete - full makeup, hair, etc.. The shift in persona would be reflected in facial expression and body language as well as attire. While the photographs are posed and well-composed, they would include an element of drama.
I'm also looking for a wide variety of participants. It won't be a very interesting bookwork if all I get are accountants who moonlight as vampires - although that might be a great idea for a short story!
If I am looking at two equally fascinating sets of images, and one participant has provided me with the optional information listed above, that person will likely get preference.
First, make sure you are comfortable with all of the fine print. Then:
Take two photographs of yourself, using a timer/tripod or a third party, and following these general guidelines:
- One photo shows you in your mainstream persona.
- One photo shows you in your goth persona.
- Both photos should be in the same or a similar location, of your choice, indoors or outdoors.
- Photos should be posed portraits but not be stiff "mugshot"-style compositions. (Think senior pictures.)
- Pictures should be in portrait orientation (taller than they are wide) where possible.
- The photos should have similar lighting.
- Photos should be in focus and clear.
- The photos can be in color or B&W. They will almost certainly be printed in B&W for this project, due to the cost of color publication.
- Photos should be of sufficient quality that they could be printed at up to 8x10 inches.
- No other people in the photos.
- No illegal activity portrayed in the photos.
Preferred format is .JPG or .PNG, between 200-300 DPI, and printable at up to 8x10 inches.
Submit your images and information to me via email.
- Send up to two photos of each persona.
- Provide your first name and occupation as well as the corresponding information for your goth persona.
- If a third party took your photographs, provide his/her name.
- Optional: tell me about yourself, your dual lives - anything you'd like to share that you think might help me and/or readers understand you and your images.
- Include photos as attachments, or send as links from a photo storage site, to oxford.and.leather@gmail.com.
Increase your chance of being included.
Ideally, I'm looking for good-quality, interesting pictures that show a sharp contrast between the daytime self and the nighttime self against a fairly neutral (thematically), consistent backdrop. The subject (you) should fill a majority of the frame; the photographs should show all or most of you (not just a headshot or from the waist up). My dream photos would be in sharp focus, B&W, with good lighting. The transformation between the mainstream and the goth personas would be dramatic and complete - full makeup, hair, etc.. The shift in persona would be reflected in facial expression and body language as well as attire. While the photographs are posed and well-composed, they would include an element of drama.
I'm also looking for a wide variety of participants. It won't be a very interesting bookwork if all I get are accountants who moonlight as vampires - although that might be a great idea for a short story!
If I am looking at two equally fascinating sets of images, and one participant has provided me with the optional information listed above, that person will likely get preference.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
About the Book
Oxford and Leather is a proposed bookwork dealing with the idea of duality and the role of make-believe in adult life, focusing on people who lead mainstream lives during the day but who are a part of the goth subculture on their own time. It will consist primarily of juxtaposed photographs, two each per subject, showing the two sides of the subject's life. Quotes from participants may be included as a verbal commentary. Each person will be identified by first name and occupation/role with corresponding information related to his or her goth persona.
Tentatively, OAL is going to be a side-bound multiple-signature book with hard, quarterbound or halfbound covers and an open spine, bound with leather or silk lacing. I am currently envisioning a length of approximately 24 pages; the dimensions of the book are currently set at around 5x8 inches. The outward appearance of the book will reflect the title and the contents as well as the underlying concept that both "oxford" and "leather" can coexist side-by-side, constructively and beautifully.
The title represents the physical transformation, in terms of clothing, for the participants. While not all of the participants may wear oxfordcloth dress shirts or leather garments, these two textiles are representative of the general fashion in each world.
This will be an extremely limited edition with copies provided for participants, as well as for the seven people in the graduate-level section of Book Arts at Boise State University. A copy may be included in the Special Collections of the Boise State library.
Tentatively, OAL is going to be a side-bound multiple-signature book with hard, quarterbound or halfbound covers and an open spine, bound with leather or silk lacing. I am currently envisioning a length of approximately 24 pages; the dimensions of the book are currently set at around 5x8 inches. The outward appearance of the book will reflect the title and the contents as well as the underlying concept that both "oxford" and "leather" can coexist side-by-side, constructively and beautifully.
The title represents the physical transformation, in terms of clothing, for the participants. While not all of the participants may wear oxfordcloth dress shirts or leather garments, these two textiles are representative of the general fashion in each world.
This will be an extremely limited edition with copies provided for participants, as well as for the seven people in the graduate-level section of Book Arts at Boise State University. A copy may be included in the Special Collections of the Boise State library.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Motivation and Inspiration
Why am I doing this?
The cynical answer is that I am producing this book to fulfill a requirement for my graduate-level Book Arts class (privately called Defense Against the Book Arts), taught by Tom Trusky at Boise State University. There are seven students in the class, and each of us has the semester to create a classroom edition (one copy per student, plus two for the instructor) of an original bookwork.
But just as I am not making this book for money, I'm not really making it for grades, either. Bookmaking has brought out two elements of my personality: my artistic side, and my desire to "make statements" and change the way people see the world. I've discovered that by approaching the idea of BOOK from a non-textual angle I can create something with greater impact and enjoy a more satisfying process.
I believe that adult make-believe and roleplay can be a normal and healthy part of our lives, and that it is not only an enjoyable expression of creativity but a powerful outlet for stress and personal exploration. I hope to capture this belief in my bookwork and open the reader's eyes to a new perspective on our societal and personal roles.
This idea came to me as I was driving down the street en route to the first meeting of my Book Arts class. I had been speaking with a friend about her dual roles in the workplace and the goth subculture (and feeling a bit jealous), and I began to wonder how many people who seem very "normal" when we see them during the day are living entirely different lives after five o'clock. As I made my way toward campus, the book practically made itself inside my head, and after what had to be an exhausting and amusing (if not frightening) supercaffinated jam session with my friend, I knew I had to pursue it.
The cynical answer is that I am producing this book to fulfill a requirement for my graduate-level Book Arts class (privately called Defense Against the Book Arts), taught by Tom Trusky at Boise State University. There are seven students in the class, and each of us has the semester to create a classroom edition (one copy per student, plus two for the instructor) of an original bookwork.
But just as I am not making this book for money, I'm not really making it for grades, either. Bookmaking has brought out two elements of my personality: my artistic side, and my desire to "make statements" and change the way people see the world. I've discovered that by approaching the idea of BOOK from a non-textual angle I can create something with greater impact and enjoy a more satisfying process.
I believe that adult make-believe and roleplay can be a normal and healthy part of our lives, and that it is not only an enjoyable expression of creativity but a powerful outlet for stress and personal exploration. I hope to capture this belief in my bookwork and open the reader's eyes to a new perspective on our societal and personal roles.
This idea came to me as I was driving down the street en route to the first meeting of my Book Arts class. I had been speaking with a friend about her dual roles in the workplace and the goth subculture (and feeling a bit jealous), and I began to wonder how many people who seem very "normal" when we see them during the day are living entirely different lives after five o'clock. As I made my way toward campus, the book practically made itself inside my head, and after what had to be an exhausting and amusing (if not frightening) supercaffinated jam session with my friend, I knew I had to pursue it.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
About Me
I'm a 26-year-old married Sagittarius, wannabe writer, and aspiring book artist. During the day I'm a mild-mannered HR specialist; at night, I'm a graduate student in the college of education at Boise State University. I'm one of these people who gets randomly and passionately interested in things; my current fascinations are therianthropy, college football, and fraternal family trees. In somewhat recent history I've done research on college marching bands, and I spend a lot of time during the fall doing photography and grunt work for Blue Thunder.
I majored in English composition and technical writing as an undergrad, and it took me a year after graduation to realize that I wanted to teach and should have gotten my teaching certification as well. It took me another year after that to realize that what I probably should have done was to major in sociology, because the main thing I'm interested in is people. Perhaps that will make me a good writer, though.
Some of my previous bookworks have addressed broken friendships, psychological abuse, hydrophobia, the military use of hot air balloons, bad teachers, and lycanthropy. Guess I'm just a bright and cheery person, huh!
There's a lot more about me but it's hard to know what's interesting and what's just filling space, so if you want to know something about me drop me a line at oxford.and.leather@gmail.com.
I majored in English composition and technical writing as an undergrad, and it took me a year after graduation to realize that I wanted to teach and should have gotten my teaching certification as well. It took me another year after that to realize that what I probably should have done was to major in sociology, because the main thing I'm interested in is people. Perhaps that will make me a good writer, though.
Some of my previous bookworks have addressed broken friendships, psychological abuse, hydrophobia, the military use of hot air balloons, bad teachers, and lycanthropy. Guess I'm just a bright and cheery person, huh!
There's a lot more about me but it's hard to know what's interesting and what's just filling space, so if you want to know something about me drop me a line at oxford.and.leather@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Fine Print
The most important thing I want to convey is that neither I nor OAL will exploit you in any way. I will be the only person to see your contact and personal information. The book will not reveal your last name, location, or any other personal information beyond your first name and occupation, plus any information you volunteer for my use. Your name and image will only be used in conjunction with this project. While I may make a small number of copies (fewer than 20) of OAL available for purchase for the cost of materials, I will not use this bookwork or any of the people within it for the purpose of profit. If I was in this for the money, I wouldn't be in this.
There are a few details that have to be addressed for the safety of everyone involved.
There are a few details that have to be addressed for the safety of everyone involved.
- I can't accept images from people who are under 18. Adults only, please.
- I can only accept images and information directly from you. That means you can't email me your friend's picture - but hopefully he or she will contact me directly.
- No copyrighted images - you must have the right to distribute these photographs.
- Photographs should have only one person - you - in them. Animals are fine so long as they are not being abused.
- No depictions of illegal activity.
By sending me photographs, you attest that you are the person portrayed in the pictures, that you are 18 or older, that you are the rightful owner of the photographs and that they are available for reprint, and that you are authorizing me to use these images and your relevant information for my bookwork. You are also authorizing me to submit your images within the completed book to my professor for evaluation and possible inclusion in his private library and/or the Special Collections section of the Albertsons Library at Boise State University.
I reserve the right to digitally manipulate your images for artistic effect, including but not necessarily limited to: changing from color to B&W, blurring background, cropping, revision to lighting, and color correction. I will not edit the content of your image without your consent.
Please let me know if your photographs were taken by a third party. The photographer will be credited within the book if you provide his or her name.
Everyone knows the line about pornography - "I know it when I see it." I prefer to avoid making that call and will likely err on the side of caution when evaluating images that contain nudity. However, if you have a great picture that you believe includes tasteful nudity, I would be happy to consider it.
This is going to be a small bookwork, not a compendium. Not all images that I receive will necessarily be used in OAL. If I do include your images, you will be contacted via email with an offer for a copy of the completed bookwork. In order to receive your copy, you will have to give me a mailing address. This address will not be retained by myself, nor will it be distributed to any outside parties. It will be used for the purpose of sending you your copy and then permanently deleted from my inbox.
If you have any questions please contact me at oxford.and.leather@gmail.com - I would much rather answer a million questions than have a misunderstanding.
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