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