A Guide to Higher Learning

A Guide to Higher LearningA Guide to Higher Learning is an artists' book created by American book artist Julie Chen in 2009. It examines the experiential process of acquiring knowledge, on both academic and personal levels. The piece itself is comprised of 8 sections of rigid square pages that are hinged together in unexpected ways, giving the reader a physical reading experience that mirrors the complex meaning of the content. The book in its fully unfolded form (to the right) reveals an intricate and fascinating visual pattern of information. Through skillfully combining traditional bookmaking craftsmanship with interactive and kinetic elements, it engage readers in a tactile exploration of mathematical concepts and intellectual curiosity.

Author Biography

Julie Chen is an influential American book artist and educator, celebrated for her innovative contributions to the field of book arts. Born and raised in the United States, Chen completed a degree in printmaking from the University of California, Berkeley, which sparked her interest in the language, materials, and equipment of book arts. This interest led her to pursue further studies in the Book Arts program at Mills College, where she later became a faculty member teaching Book Arts.

In 1987, Julie Chen founded Flying Fish Press in Berkeley, California. The press focuses on designing and producing limited edition artists' books that integrate the crafts of letterpress printing and hand bookbinding with modern technologies like laser cutting and digital printing. Her works are known for their meticulous attention to craft, intricate structural designs, and the meaningful interplay of text and image. Chen's books are unique three-dimensional art pieces that challenge traditional notions of what a book can be, emphasizing interactivity and sensory engagement.

Julie Chen’s books are held in numerous prestigious collections worldwide, including the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Sir George Grey Special Collections in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2009, she was featured in the PBS television series "Craft in America," highlighting her significant role in the craft movement.

Material Analysis

Substrate

The book actually includes four pieces: a cloth covered clamshell box, the book itself (initially found in its unfolded state), a small Answer Book integrated within the book, and a viewing cloth. For its technical details, the box has dimensions 11.75” by 11.75” by 3.75”, the book is 11” by 11” by 3.125” in its unfolded state, and the Answer Book is 8 x 8 cm. After unfolding the book onto the viewing cloth, it encompasses a 31 square.

Julie Chen's A Guide to Higher Learning is crafted using several high quality materials that are characteristic of her meticulous approach to bookmaking. The book is letterpress printed using photopolymer plates on various types of paper, museum board, and is complemented with elements of plexiglass and tyvek. These materials are chosen for their durability and aesthetic qualities, allowing for complex folding and unfolding mechanisms that are integral to the reader’s interaction with the book. Between the hinges are magnetic components so that the pages fold on top of each other in an orderly fashion.

The use of diverse substrates and materials not only enhances the visual and tactile aspects of the book but also aligns with Chen's emphasis on the book as a physical and interactive object.

Platform: Artists' Book

Artists' books are works of art realized in the form of a book, often published in small editions or as unique objects known as "book objects." These works transcend traditional books by prioritizing artistic intent, often integrating text, image, and inventive formats to create a cohesive artistic expression. Unlike conventional books where content predominates, artists' books consider the medium itself as a crucial component of the artistic message, challenging conventional boundaries between books and art.

These creations offer a more intimate and interactive experience by reimagining the structure and presentation of books. Artists like Julie Chen are notable for their contributions to this medium, employing complex mechanisms such as pop-ups and elaborate folds, and using diverse materials that engage the reader in physical interactions, thus enriching the reading experience .

Navigation

To read the book the whole assembly must be lifted from the box and placed on the center of the cloth so there is sufficient space for the book to be opened up. Each square page is numbered clockwise. The reader thus begins with page 1 on the right, opening each flap as the arrows suggest, and continues around the structure clockwise through page 12. It follows a geometric spiral / circular pattern which mirrors the content of the book. After doing this, the reader is supposed to look at the answer book which explains the mathematical ideas, the origami patterns of Robert J. Lang, and the Ulam spiral at the center of the book.

Significance

Conceptual Depth: The content and design of "A Guide to Higher Learning" delve into themes of knowledge, discovery, and the pursuit of understanding. Chen uses the form of the book to metaphorically explore these concepts, inviting readers to engage physically and intellectually with the material. This conceptual depth adds a layer of significance as it reflects on the nature of learning and the search for meaning through the structure of the book itself.

Artists' Books as Art Form: By pushing the boundaries of book design and integrating fine art practices, Chen's work contributes significantly to the recognition of artists' books as a legitimate and standalone art form. "A Guide to Higher Learning" serves as a prime example of how artists' books can be both literary and visual artworks, deserving of study and appreciation in the same way as paintings or sculptures.

Educational and Reflective Tool: The book encourages reflection on the process of learning itself, making it a powerful educational tool. It prompts readers to consider the ways in which knowledge is constructed and understood. Some of the equations are so complex that even Ivy League math majors (not referring to myself) can't figure them out without help from more knowledgeable mentors. This reflective quality ensures that the book is not only an object of art but also a medium for education and philosophical inquiry.

Collectibility and Impact on Libraries and Collectors: Due to its unique characteristics and limited production of 100 copies, works like "A Guide to Higher Learning" are highly valued by collectors and libraries, particularly those specializing in rare books and book arts like Kislak. Its presence in such collections helps to promote and preserve the art of bookmaking and ensures that innovative approaches to the book as an art form continue to be accessible for future generations.