This year Decatur Book as Art, Vol.10 Transformation exhibit resides in the lofty 4th floor exhibit room of the Decatur Public Library through October 31. This is the tenth year of the exhibit and for all the details visit the exhibition page for hours etc., which are limited. As I was leaving, the docent said, "Tell all your friends." (Obviously, she didn't know that I was the editor of the blog who has been doing these little writeups for years. See previous Books as Art as Books postings.)
With approximately 65 exhibits it's a kind of overwhelming and I don't know how to do it justice without sounding bored, so I just concentrated on my favorite.
LINOTYPE by Dan Wood of Providence, Rhode Island
Many years ago, I worked for the company Mycro-Tek in Wichita that built front end systems for small newspapers. These specialized word processors were programmed with special coding had to interface with various Linotype typesetters. The gorgeous printing samples displayed on the wall reminded me of those days and the people who worked there.
Another likeable aspect of this piece is that you were actually allowed to touch it. Even though the curators boasted about the "tactile and olfactory" aspects of the exhibition, many of the exhibits were enclosed in glass and signs were posted not to touch anything. Linotype was one of the few exceptions.
The artist's full description of the work follows at the end of the post.
Friends, it has been my pleasure to inform you.
