Manchester Metropolitan University's library's third floor features the library's Special Collections. This is a collection of books such as rare books, illustrated children's books and artist's books. I love this collection and find all the books fascinating - the delicacy of the pages, the detail of the illustrations and the variety of the covers (hardback, paperback, multi colours etc.). 

On my Interactive Arts course, we were set a site specific project where we had to create work based on a specific location in the campus and exhibit it there. I chose the Special Collections.

After contacting the librarian of the Collection and getting permission to exhibit there for a week, I set about creating my own books. I made the books myself after taking part in a bookbinding workshop and created them in a pop up format however, the books act more as sculptures each featuring one pop up image illustrating a chapter of a story. The story I chose was 'The Red Shoes.'

When exhibiting, I put the books in random alcove throughout the library and left mini ballerina figures between them so that visitors could follow a trail; and follow the story.

Fortunately, I received positive feedback from this idea which I had feared would be a bit confusing for people as it is not a conventional mode of exhibiting, but a visiting college group were apparently really intrigued by the search and it thankfully completed it's task of getting people to explore the collection more thoroughly, successfully.

I hope to continue making books throughout the year and shall document my progress here!

Tom 

Today we had our first meeting with the artists in residence though unfortunately two could not attend. It was a good opportunity to get to know the artists and for them to meet us at the start of a hopefully benificial relationship, though there was some confusion over what the exact nature of that relationship would be.

It was interesting to learn that the artists all seem to be taking full advantage of the univeristy's facilities by experimenting with new media, for example, Rachel Goodyear is working in ceramics rather than her usual illustrations. We discussed the possibility of taking a few interested students  from the faculty down to the workshops to see the artists in practice to strengthen their presence in the university.

There was talk of an exhibition in the Holden Gallery, of the work the artists produce during their residency that would take place in May but the exact details are yet to be confirmed. This would be a great opportunity for us to assist in setting up an exhibition.

This was a successful first meeting and we look forward to the next!