Popcorn as a metaphor for a turning point in a woman’s life? The artist Katie Baldwin incorporates images of Jiffy Pop popcorn with original Japanese instructions in her whimsical artist’s book entitled “Treasure.”
In a narrative poem, she changes her name to Treasure in hopes for some changes, but what she realizes in the end is unexpected. This got us thinking ...
This artist’s book was created at the Women's Studio Workshop, which is supported with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Art is our cultural treasure and national heritage. On November 29, 1962, John F. Kennedy said in his remarks on behalf of the National Cultural Center:
"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit. ....If we can make our country one of the great schools of civilization, then on that achievement will surely rest our claim to the ultimate gratitude of mankind."
March 28th is Arts Matter Advocacy Day in Massachusetts. At the Harvard Fine Arts Library, our collections remind us each day about the arts’ contribution to the human sprit and the essential role that art and architecture has played in the history of our civilization. In 1874, Harvard became the first university in America to institute a professorship in art history. When the Fogg Museum opened its doors in 1895, the establishment of a library collection was an integral part of its mission. As a result, the library's holdings are vast and rich, providing scholars with access to an exceptional variety of printed materials, visual images, and special collections, including artist’s books.
We hope that you can take a moment on March 28th to reflect on the essential value that the arts bring to our lives individually and to society collectively, and be a voice for the continuation of support for the arts. Because art is our shared treasure.
Treasure
Katie Baldwin.
Baldwin, Katie (Katie Amelia)
Rosendale, N.Y. : Women's Studio Workshop, c2008.
1 p. (folded to make 22 p.) : col. ill. ; 20 x 21 cm.
English; Japanese
"This edition is printed on handmade abaca paper with silkscreen and moku hanga. Moku hanga is a traditional Japanese woodblock method that uses water-based pigments and a baren for printing by hand. The text is Optima 24 point lead type, handset and printed on a No. 3 Vandercook."--Colophon.
Issued in an edition of 35 copies and signed by the artist.
Bound in brown silk, with stylistic drawing of popcorn on front cover. Accordion-folded paper.
In English with cooking instructions in Japanese.
