Long live Libraries and Weeds

I've just dropped off a set of bookmarks for Bookmarks Xl Infiltrating the Library System 2013.

I came across the quote 'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need' (attributed to Cicero, Roman philosopher, 106 BC) and felt a link to sentiments from a deep and distant past. I was also struck by the thought that in over two thousand years, humanity has remained rather consistent. 

I not sure what I feel about this thought.

But back to the Bookmarks in the Library. Libraries holds facts and fictions, ideas and thoughts. Over the centuries libraries and books have been ransacked and burned in an attempt to censor or silence aspects of a nations culture . . . they are with us still . . . Not unlike weeds.

Mankind has attempted to eradicate plants like the dandelion for generations . . . and they are also still here. This is a good thing, they're an important early source of nectar for bees and provide us with culinary and medicinal benefits. 

So, lets keep our Libraries and our Weeds!

The bookmarks series has run over the last nine years, distributing free artwork in 93 venues in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey the UK and USA.

Each participant makes an edition of 100 numbered and signed bookmarks for free distribution in artist’s book collections, centres or galleries. 

Part XI of the project runs from Sept 2013 – February 2014. Parts I-VIII are already archived on the CFPR website at bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/bookmark.htm