ABSTRACT

Making a Book for a Dream

Betsy Davids
bdavids@ccac-art.edu

Betsy Davids, M.A. (English) is Professor of Humanities and Fine Arts at
California College of Arts and Crafts, where she teaches book arts, writing,
and literature in seminars and studio courses.  Dreams are the core source of
her work as book artist and writer.

Summary of Presentation

This workshop will introduce making books as a way of honoring and expressing
a memorable dream. Each participant will make a book structure and fill it
with words, images, and objects that evoke the dream. Tools and materials will
be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring relevant materials.


Learning Objectives.

1.  To experience the dreamwork value of making a book for a dream. By "dreamwork value" I mean the deepening of insight, understanding and memory that results from dwelling on dream images and stories through extended creative process. 

2.  To become aware of the creative potential of the "artist's book" form and its use by contemporary artists for dream work. 

3.  To learn how to construct at least one book structure.

Evaluation questions:

1.  Did I learn experience a deepening of understanding, insight, or memory through making a book for my dream? 

2.  Did I gain an awareness of how contemporary artists have used the book form for dream work? Did I get an idea what creative potential the book form might have for me?

3.  Did I learn how to construct one kind of book structure?

Abstract 

Why Books? 
The book as a cultural artifact has long been understood as a container for memory, insight, and preservation of knowledge. Making a book by hand can be a fulfilling way to honor a memorable dream.  Moreover, books are an especially appropriate site for creative arts dreamwork, because the book is a culturally sanctioned place for combining words and images. Most dreamworkers habitually document their dreams in writing, yet dreams are also highly visual. An art form that combines the verbal and the visual has much to offer to our field. 

Personal bookmaking (such as journals, scrapbooks, photo albums) is a widespread cultural practice, and artist's books in the last few decades have explored new creative possibilities of the book form. In particular, many simplified book structures suitable for brief workshops have been developed.

Workshop Process  

The workshop leader will briefly show some examples of artist's dream books and will introduce two or three quick and intriguing book structures. Participants will have the opportunity to create a personal dream book using the tools and materials provided as well as any relevant materials they have brought. At the conclusion of the workshop session, a few minutes of sharing the book-in-progress with a partner (or with the whole group if feasible) will bring acknowledgment of the creative act and the dream it honors.

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