I have received the following information from Jeff Rathermel, artistic director at Minnesota Center for Book Arts. The following art call outlines an exciting collaborative art project that I hope you will consider being part of. Also spread the word!
Here's what Jeff had to say:
None of the Above
Assembling, Collaborating and Publishing in the Eternal Network
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
In an ambitious assembling-style project, Minnesota Center for Book Arts invites any and all to send 125 copies of anything (within reason—see below) that will fit into a 9” x 12” envelope. This project is in conjunction with MCBA’s upcoming exhibition None of the Above: Assembling, Collaborating and Publishing in the Eternal Network.
An assembling project represents the ultimate in democratic art. Everything submitted will be included in the publication (or series of publications, depending on how many people participate). In return for your efforts, you receive a selection of 89 different works created by others who participate.
Who’s invited? Artists, writers, printmakers, zinesters, poets, photographers, xerographers, pamphleteers, cartoonists, diagrammers, visualists, mail-artists, transitionalists, minimalists, maximalists, pencilers, stencilers, composers, medics, bookleteers, decoders, conceptualists, transcribers, documentarians, historians, storytellers, manifestoans, CDsters, designers, anti-artists, ventriloquists (make the paper sing!), book artists, book artists who are ventriloquists, whoever so chooses and those chosen—meaning you! Plus, you can exercise reckless editorial control or lack thereof by forwarding this invitation to others.
What to send? Any means of expression is fine (paper, CDs, stickers, popsicle sticks) but it can be no larger than 8.5” x 11” (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) and 1/8” thick (.3 cm). It can be folded, stitched, crushed, flattened, etc. Shrunk-via-shrink-ray submissions are okay. If you need a theme, submissions will be compiled in publications titled “None of the Above.” How’s that for clear direction?
How many to send? Submit 125 copies. 89 of these will go to other participants. Additional copies will be archived, distributed to donors/volunteers, and a small number will be sold as a fundraiser for MCBA.
What else to send? So that we can send you your copy of the publication, include a sheet of paper with your name and postal address. Also include $5 in U.S. funds—checks payable to Minnesota Center for Book Arts—to cover the cost of envelopes and postage.
Where to send: None of the Above, c/o Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave South, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Deadlines: If we receive submissions by August 21, 2009, they will be displayed as part of the associated exhibition. To be included in the publication, submissions must be received no later than October 24, 2009.
A special collating event will occur at MCBA on Saturday, October 24, 2009. For those who would like to participate, you may bring your 125 copies that evening rather than mailing. There is no fee. Please email Jeff Rathermel, MCBA’s Artistic Director (jrathermel@mnbookarts.org) by October 16, 2009 if you will be participating. Arrive at 7 pm, assembly lines commence at 7:30 pm.
If you have questions about the publication, contact Jeff Rathermel at jrathermel@mnbookarts.org. To learn more about Minnesota Center for Book Arts, visit www.mnbookarts.org.
