MECA's Long Overdue project...

The Portland Public Library and the Maine College of Art teamed up several months ago to create the "Long Overdue: Book Renewal" project. Basically, PPL took a few hundred books that were to be de-accessioned from the library and gave them to 200 artists to be "renewed". The resulting Altered Books were then re-accessioned into the library, displayed/shelved and can now be taken out (including by inter-library loan) and can be searched in their catalogues (use the keyword "altered books").

I tend to look askance at the wanton destruction of books...but this is very much a transformation. A book is very much a work of art (admittedly, some more so than others), this project effectively morphs one art form into another. The project started in early 2005 debuted early this summer...one of many reasons I am fond of Portland.

[I must admit that this was something I meant to blog about during one of my "quiet periods" (that is, I was running about too much to carve a moment or two to blog). Thanks to my friend and far more responsible blogette for reminding me of this wonderful project.]