Craft Night Invasion

This past week, Book Bombs invaded Craft Night at Katie's - Katie Baldwin's weekly studio gathering for arts and crafts. Our invasion focused on cutting up clothing to later be pulped for papermaking purposes. Our first print bombings will be printed on paper made from clothing and blankets, items that can alternately represent luxury or survival, allowing the actual fibers of our paper to embody the printed content. Some of our cuttings can be seen above.


In other news, the website for Mark/Remarque, the 2010 Southern Graphics Conference in Philadelphia is now live. Check out the upcoming demos and panels, particularly those featuring Book Bomber Mary Tasillo. Book Bombs will also be hosting a zine release party during the event, all are welcome to come get a free copy of the zine we will be producing as part of this project!

Philly Program to Prevent Foreclosures

Philadelphia's government is typically described as corrupt and disorganized, and that's when people are being polite. However, once in a while, Philly gets it right. Philadelphia's primary civil court has now adopted rules that state that no home may be foreclosed on and sold by the Sheriff's office with out a "conciliation conference," in which homeowners and lenders - such as Bank of America representatives - sit down face-to-face and create a workable compromise. Every homeowner facing foreclosure is provide counseling, and in some cases, a volunteer lawyer.

The plan has its critics, mostly that say the city is just prolonging the inevitable, but cities across the US are considering adopting the Philadelphia plan.

The New York Times covered this issue, providing a history of the plan's development, implementation, and criticism. To read the article, visit here.

Urban Invasives are Hot!

Watch out folks; paper from invasives is the next in thing. Reports are that Duke Riley's engraving in the New Prints 2009/Autumn show at the International Print Center New York is printed on paper made from phragmites. Incidentally phragmites were one of the first invasives to come to my attention after my sister came back from marine biology camp in high school. She was obsessed with them, and pointed them out everywhere. We were both obsessed with saying the word "phrag-mit-e." Evidently these invasives are found throughout Central Park in New York City. Thanks to Printeresting for the tip, and for the following visual aids:

Gearing up for January Print Bombings

Carving began this week on the first print of the Book Bombs project. The first print bombings will appear in Love Park and Christ Church Park on First Friday, January 8. As we gear up for Philagrafika 2010, check out Book Bombs and other upcoming independent projects here.

A Different Sort of Book Bomb

Check out Gregory Green's Book Bomb #8.

Thanks to Suzanne Fischer for the tip on the write up on the Hilobrow site.

Greetings from the Welcome House (part 2)

Book Bombs is featured in the video "Greetings from the Welcome House," currently on view till December 30 in the Cafe Gallery at the Painted Bride Art Center. The Painted Bride is located at 230 Vine Street in Old City, Philadelphia. Hope you can stop by!

Greetings from the Welcome House

Join Book Bombs this Friday, November 6, from 5-7 PM at the Painted Bride for screenings of Greetings from the Welcome House, the documentation of the October Welcome House event in Love Park. Book Bombs is much obliged to Ricardo Rivera for capturing our day of public paper art so beautifully.

The video will be on display through the end of December in the Cafe Gallery. The Welcome House structure itself will be on view in the exhibition Shelter, also on view through the end of the year at the Painted Bride. The Bride is located at 230 Vine Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

Happy Halloween: Love Pumpkin

Mary imagined that this pumpkin just a block up the street from her house had been carved expressly for her--or maybe for the folks in Love Park.