Turn the page fair, exhibiting the Norfolk Longbook 24 and 25 June 2016 The Forum Norwich

>June Events / Art & Theatre / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / exhibitions / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk June 22, 2016

Norfolk Longbook: Longest book art in Norwich, UK

Norfolk Longbook, a community art project, has ‘grown’ to a now 14 metres long concertina book handmade by hundreds of people from the county of Norfolk (UK). Starting in 2013 with just a few pages made by local residents, the ‘ever-expanding’ book will be on show at UK’s leading artists’ book fair turn the page in Norwich this week (24 and 25 June 2016). Turn the page organisers will publish the Norfolk Longbook in 2018 aiming to be UK’s longest community book art.

Turn the page fair

Turn the page fair, only one of a handful of events of its type and caliber in the UK, celebrates its fifth anniversary fair with the largest exhibition to date on 24 and 25 June 2016 at The Forum, Norwich.

Alongside the Norfolk Longbook there will be more than 60 international artists displaying sculptured, altered and fine press pieces; a collection of seven ammonite book sculptures and an interactive giant edition of twelve ‘myriorama playcards’. The ‘deck’ can be displayed in a multitude of different combinations to create hundreds of new landscapes when ‘shuffled’. This ‘entertainment’ originated in France, with the first English edition produced in 1824.

Founder and Director of turn the page, Jules Allen, said: “The Norfolk Longbook is fast becoming one of the most exciting art projects in the country. Young and old took inspiration from Norfolk and created wonderful pieces of art, including pastel paintings, textiles, prints, poetry and calligraphy. It’s been such special social and artistic experience.

“The beautiful Longbook is already 14 metres and may triple in size by 2018! So we may have the longest book art piece in the UK or even Europe in the making here in Norfolk.”

The fair also has book binding demonstrations, a book launch and visitors can make their own prints. Music from The Georgia Shackleton Trio and poetry readings will add to a real festival feel.

Highlights of turn the page artists’ book fair 2016:

Seven ammonite book sculptures ‘The great gathering’ by book artist Chris Ruston represent earth’s evolution spanning 650 million years. From black holes and dark beginnings, through painted sediment layers, Darwin’s origin of species, and recycled National Geographic magazines, the work charts the inevitability of change. It will be the last time that the piece will be on display in the UK before it goes to a US-based collector
‘Endless journey’ myriorama (12 interactive giant play cards each measuring 75cm by 30cm) is created by cartoonist and illustrator Tom Gauld who draws cartoons for the Guardian and New Scientist. The piece is on loan from the Laurence Sterne Trust at Shandy Hall in Yorkshire, UK
Camberwell College of Arts MA Book Arts students will display their latest work
Special feature by Su Blackwell, internationally renowned book artist, and Caroline Penn who is ttp’s 2016 graduate award winner
Rosie Sherwood will launch a new poetry book and art installation ‘The Ellentree’
Print work from the Artists’ Book Club at the University of the West of England
Displays by Society of Bookbinders and John Jarrold Print Museum in Norwich.

For the first time, the Millennium Library will be creating a book trail across the library based on themes from ‘A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy’ by 18th century novelist and clergyman Laurence Sterne. Alongside the trail, established book artist Liz Mathews will be displaying a selection of work.

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Awards

Five artists from this year’s submissions will be put forward for a public vote to win the ‘turn the page Book prize for excellence and innovation’. The Book prize includes a cash sum of £400 and will be announced on the last day of the event (25 June 2016).

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Notes:

Photos: Selection of Norfolk Longbook to date – 14 metres community book art project (A4 size with a specially designed woodcarving as cover).
turn the page is an international exhibiting and selling platform for artists who are creating work that is inspired by the structural and conceptual properties of the book form.

The turn the page fair, which is supported by Arts Council England, is a multi-media experience displaying a variety of book art, including traditionally produced limited editions, zines, folios, multiples, sculptural/ altered books, book-based installations and film.

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