The inspiration for Edition Two came from the poem Paper Wrestling by New Zealand poet Claire Beynon, via Carol Cantrell's blog. Thank you Carol! Nine artists (Caren Florance (AUS), Guylaine Couture (CAN), Carol Cantrell (AUS), Rhonda Ayliffe (AUS), Sara Bowen (AUS), Fiona Dempster (AUS), Jane Aliendi (AUS), Alison Fenech (AUS) and Di Patmore (AUS)) participated in BookArtObject Edition Two.
PAPER WRESTLING by Claire Beynon
Pretend you're breaking in a horse
don't be intimidated
let the paper know who's boss
acknowledge its memory
encourage it to relax
if necessary, walk on stockinged feet
tune into its voice
don't mind its splutters and coughs
treat its fibres with respect
rein it in, but not too much
breathe
recognize the fact that it's breathing, too
place your wine on a bookcase
kneel down in anticipation
caress its surfaces
ask it what secrets it knows
listen
look at it against the light
take it to the trough
have an old towel handy
make sure the water's not too cold
you don't want any shocks
see that it's not too hot either
lest your best intentions come undone
keep in mind green tea left too long
lazily served in a wide-brimmed cup
wait for the sign that indicates it's time
take the plunge and lunge
move fast or the paper will think
it can get the better of you
handle it firmly, addressing it
in low and patient tones
trust that with time and persistence
it will succumb, may even let you in.
From: "Open book: poetry & images" by Claire Beynon
c Claire Beynon, 2007, Steele Roberts Publishers, Wellington NZ
ISBN 978-1-877448-15-7
www.clairebeynon.co.nz
** photos of individual books from the edition can be viewed here.
