The College Book Art Association has always had a conference in January, usually every other year. The first year (2009) the conference was at the University of Iowa. The second year (2011) it was at Indiana University Bloomington. Regarding the projected weather of both, the west-coasters said peculiar things. It turns out it was perfectly lovely and possible to take a walk in the snowy air by hopping from one heated building to the next.But guess what? You can come to the conference this year in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most of us do not surf or sunbathe in winter, but if we take off our gloves to take a picture our hands stay warm.
It is true that the word "college" is in the name, but even if you are not part of a college and if you are serious about bookmaking and academic learning, you can register and attend the conference. The keynote address this year is by longtime and noted book artist Buzz Spector, and the banquet speaker is Brewster Kahle, well-known "computer engineer, internet entrepeneur, activist, and digital librarian." as they put it modestly on the CBAA website. His wife Mary Austin is one of the founders of the San Francisco Center for the Book. The Indiana keynote address was by Ann Hamilton, the subject of this post.The conferences are a wonderful opportunity not only to hear what interests people from all over the country and abroad, but to meet and connect with bookpeople in person over a meal or after a session. I've met artists, writers, bookmakers, and educators I've heard about for years and have been introduced to enthusiastic new people as well. The energy level is high and inspiring.
January 5-7, 2012 will feature a book exhibition downtown at the San Francisco Public Library, panel sessions at what I call "the beautiful oasis" of Mills College and more sessions at the bay-front Hilton Garden Inn in Emeryville, California, lunches, coffee and snacks provided, and a banquet and auction on the final night.
If you register now you can benefit from the reduced earlybird price.
Let's talk about books.
artifacts from the Iowa conference
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