Original Sin Altered Book $245
The Challenge:
Create a second work of art in response to the current exhibition, “Turn the Page: The First 10 Years of Hi-Fructose” at The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Caveat–make this piece in 5 days!
The Opportunity:
From the moment I found the second copy of The Book of Virtues I was excited about the idea of carving it. (I almost abandoned my other concept because this book was begging to be carved.) So imagine my excitement at finding out that we were allowed to submit a second piece for the MOCA “Call and Response” exhibit! Never mind the main challenge: I only had 5 days to do this!
Not only did it get hung, but my parents were visiting and made it to the opening reception!
The timeline:
Tuesday: A rumor that additional works might be accepted.
Wednesday: Confirmation phone call–yes you can submit a second piece, and could you please drop it off by 5 pm on Friday.
Thursday: Me begging for the weekend to work on it, and receiving the OK to have it in by 5 pm on Monday.
Friday-Sunday: Carve a book and make the shelf for it (thanks Don!!!).
Monday: Delivered as promised, in plenty of time.
The Method:
I knew for a while what words would be carved, so it was simply a matter of laying it out and 
cutting the pages.
Those of you who have asked about my technique know that I cut every page of the book by hand with a pair of scissors. In this case, 875 pages! 
Yes, it took a while. I brought the book with me everywhere I went, including two nights of my kids’ swim practice, the waiting room while my daughter had her teeth cleaned and when I had a doctor’s appointment. Did I mention 875 pages?
There is something to be said about work you love. (and deadlines) I was so excited about creating this piece, the time just flew by! Amazingly, there were very few mistakes. In the past I’ve had to remove a page or two (or 10 or 20) because I get off track about what gets cut out and what is left behind, but that didn’t happen this time.
Though it was a “rush job,” I intentionally slowed down, which also resulted in very little need for touch up at the end. Touch up requires meticulously separating single pages and sniping off the thinnest of edges. It’s very time consuming.
Don was a trooper to break out the table saw and help me build a basic shelf so that it could be hung on a wall. Some little kids at swim practice even helped to sand the wood–too cute! Amazingly, this all came together.
It’s hanging at the MOCA Satellite Gallery (Towne Pavilion 1 Building at 600 22nd Street, VA Beach) until November. I’ll share my artist statement and the specific inspiration for this in next week’s blog, which will be titled “Understanding Contemporary Art.”
Please share your comments and reactions below. Because it’s contemporary art, you don’t have to love it. In fact, you might love/hate it. (ha ha)
