For immediate release Contact: Kim Harrell 720.203.3575 April 25, 2008 All Booked up AURORA – Books, despite our technological age, are still icons of education, information and inspiration. They offer escapism, new knowledge and sometimes send us off to sleep. However, in the new exhibition at East End Applied Arts, the books you will see are not ones to leave sitting on the shelf. “I was inspired by an exhibition of sculptural books I visited in 2006 at The Colorado College,” says Kim Harrell, gallery owner. “I was vaguely aware of artists’ books but really had no idea.” After visiting the exhibition curated by Colorado book artist, Alicia Bailey, Harrell was evangelical. “I truly was overwhelmed with the diversity of the art-form, the craftsmanship and the multiple levels of communication presented in such an attractive and artistic package; in short I fell in love with artist’s books.” Bailey, well known locally and respected in the book arts’ greater community, approached Harrell about curating a show at her gallery and Harrell took it up. The response was enthusiastic, and the range of books on display varies from the traditional to the conceptual. From Peggy Johnston’s slightly whimsical “Having a Ball in the Wild West” which consists of a hollow cloth ball with printed words contained inside a patchwork-like stitched leather box, to Michael Peven’s multi-layered and interactive “Open Heart Surgery”. Eighteen artists with over 30 books will be on display. All the books are in numbered editions and will be available for handling. ‘multiples’ opens Friday, May 9, with a public reception from 5.30 – 8 pm, at East End Applied Arts, 1556 Florence Street in Aurora and continues through June 28, 2008. A curator talk with Alicia Bailey will be held June 19 from 5.30-7pm; the opening and the curator talk are free and open to the public. East End Applied Arts is open Thursday through Saturday noon-5.30 pm and by appointment. You can reach the gallery at 720.203.3575 and info@eastendarts.com or by visiting the website, www.eastendarts.com.
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