Text/ile was an exhibition in two parts. It examined the history of imparting information through fabric in artists' books, as well as different paper manufacturing techniques. There is an inherent relationship between handmade books which are sewn using fibers, sometimes on chords, and the sewing of garments. In addition to this extrinsic relationship, paper is itself a fiber. Text/ile examined the history of imparting information through fabric in artists' books, as well as different paper manufacturing techniques.
As an addendum to its educational mission and focus on the materials and craft of the book, this exhibition asked what happens to artwork when a facilitator's presence is needed to activate it. Text/ile encouraged viewers to think critically of the role of facilitators in public interactions with contemporary art, and asked what the absence of facilitators would mean when they are tied to the presence of the artwork.
This exhibition took place at both the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection (37 S. Wabash, Suite 508) and the Stolbun Collection (30 North Michigan, Suite 1515). Curator and book artist Kat Zagaria was on-site at the Stolbun Collection to assist in book handling and questions regarding different bookmaking techniques. The books displayed on each date varied, but every batch was displayed in the Stolbun alongside Thomas Huston's Standard Moving Blankets to enable a conversation around the usage of fibers in contemporary art.
View the catalog for this exhibit here.