Protecting Book Collections

A lot has been written about protecting and caring for art work but I rarely seen articles about caring for books.  I collect art and local history books and often wonder if I am taking the right steps to preserve these priceless items.

Some time ago I read the book, The Care of Fine Books, by author Jane Greenfield.  This book is a helpful guide book for those of us that are serious about caring for our collections.  Some of the  things that are mentioned are protection from light, cleaning and dusting and the shelving of books.  Proper handling of the book and making sure proper the proper climate is maintained is also mentioned.

I volunteer a large library where the books and periodicals are cared for at a very high level.  The books, magazines and journals are stored in a light and temperature controlled environment.   The humidity is also controlled.  It’s not too humid or too dry.  They use no-nonsense metal bookshelves that are sturdy and do not sag.  Special clamps are used to keep the books and other publications upright on the shelves.  There shelves are not over croweded.   It seems like every  precaution has been made to insure that the books are properly maintained.

www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

 

Although I do a lot to care for the books I treasure, I’m pretty sure there is much more I can do.  I I think most of us would like to believe that our book collections will be around for a very long time.

Sendak - More Than Children's Books

A lot has been said about Maurice Sendak due to his passing this week.   I have enjoyed reading his books for children especially the award winning book, Where the Wild Things Are.  Very few writers who are also illustrators have accomplished as much as Maurice Sendak.  What is not widely known about this artist is that his illustrations extend to more than just children’s books.

In the book, The Art of Maurice Sendak, friend and playwright, Tony Kushner writes about Sendak's life and art work.  In addition to books for children, Sendak illustrated a few CD covers and posters.   He became a stage designer in 1975.  He was subsequently worked as the designer for several stage productions.  Sendak collaborated with Carole King on an animated special for CBS, Really Rosie.  He also produced the covers for books of other writers.

Maurice Sendak was a true artist.  He was the award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books and much more. 

Artists Making History

I was fortunate to view an episode last week of the award-winning presentation, Art in the 21^st Century.  This presentation is showing on a public broadcast station.  This episode featured artists Glenn Ligon, Mary Reid Kelly and Marina Abramovic.  I found this show very interesting as well as educational.  Art in the 21st Century is part of the History series and this presentation was the Season 6 episode.

The three artists featured in this one-hour show are shown working and discussing their ideas as well as work. The presentation allows the viewers to hear the artists describe their own work and to learn why they do what they do.


Mary Reid Kelly's videos were fascinating. Marina Abramovic, the pioneer of performance art, was excellent. I enjoyed most of all the presentation of Glenn Ligon who uses paintings and sculpture to examine cultural and social identity. He makes use of text of in unusual way in his work. Ligion includes work of some of his favorite writers to portray text- based images.



This series recently premiered on public television. I am looking forward to more of these insightful presentations. I hope you have an opportunity to view the new artists making history.



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Free Art

I recently read an article that suggests that the trend today is for museums to offer free admission. It appears that many museums in the U.S. and other countries have in the last 10 years implemented a policy of free admission.

It was mentioned that the decision many times is the result of museum directors who have political ties and associations with the powerful arts lobbies.  There seems to be a fear that funding may be cut by the government if free admission is not allowed.

The good news is that attendance seems to increase in those institutions that have a free admission policy in place.  Among the top five most visited museums in the world, three offer free admission.  The museums that do charge for admission have experienced the number of visitors decrease. 

I live in a city with a large museum that has offered free admission for some time. Before this policy was in effect, free admission was offered only to members and a very few special visitors. The cost was not high before the free admission became policy. The experts are saying that free admission to museums is here to stay. I hope so. Art should be free to everyone.




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Pricey Photographs

I recently had an opportunity to view a few auction catalogs featuring photography.  I can’t help but wonder why some of these images are selling at extremely high prices and have maintained their popularity over the years.    Last fall the major auction houses offered hundreds of photographic works for sale.  It appears that the market for this art form is growing.

The prices offered for these exceptional images were amazing.   The prices for most of the photographs ranged from a few thousand dollars to nearly one hundred thousand dollars.  Many of the photographs were created some time ago.  I’m not certain but I have the feeling that some photographer’s works are being sold over and over again. For example, an individual or institution buys a photograph by Kertesz or Atget. At some time in the future puts it is placed back on the market for sale.  I would assume there is some profit from doing this.  The photography market is similar to other works of art like paintings that are highly valued purchased and later sold for profit.

We will probably never completely understand the thinking of art collectors, but I think that if  I were fortunate enought to own a Mapplethorpe gelatin silver print or one by Bruce Weber, I would want to hold on to this extraordinary art for quite some time.

Exploring Art Outdoors

Spring will soon be here and it’s time to get outdoors and discover all things related to art.  Nature does provide us with a great show during the winters and fall months, but I believe the spring and summer was made for artist.  This is the season for artists to go outside and create and be inspired.  It’s also a great time for those of us who are not artists but enjoy viewing and experiencing art as well.  This time of the year I often begin thinking about visiting new art galleries or checking out the latest exhibit at the local museum.  

Several great artists, including Monet, have created masterpieces en plein air (in the open air) while studying landscapes outside.  Monet’s oil on canvas, Terrace at Sainte- Adresse is an excellent example of the artist's relation with the outdoors.   This great scene of the Normandy coast provides the viewer with the bright bold colors of the warm season.   You don’t have to be able to paint like Monet to enjoy the outdoors this time of the year.  Just adventuring out of doors and viewing nature’s work or even the man-made structures that are often overlooked can provide a great experience.

This time of the year I usually feel inspired to take my camera out and start discovering the outside.  If you enjoy being outside and yearn to discover art, now is the perfect time.

Black History and Black Art

It’s February and once again it’s Black History Month.  In my community that means the entertainment pages of our local newspaper are filled with an abundance of programs related to African-Americans.   This month is proclaimed each year as a month to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of African Americans to our nation.  It’s a great month to celebrate history, and I am not surprised that the arts are at the top of the list of events and programs offered during this month.

I began to wonder about how Black History Month originated.  I discovered that the occasion began in 1926.  A historian suggested that the second week in February would be designated as the week to commemorate the accomplishments of African Americans.  This week happened to be the birth dates of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  Interests grew and in 1976 it expanded into National African-American History Month.

Many museums and libraries are offering special exhibits and programs relating to African American artists.  There are opportunities to view the works of prominent local African-American artists.  This is a great month to celebrate history and art.