imperfectinnovations asked: Hi, I really like your book installations and was wondering what kind of resources/materials do you use? Are they from recycling old published books?
I usually look for books at thrift stores, hunting for odd books, irregular shapes and sizes. In my “Between” installation I was given an old set of encyclopedias from someone how wanted them “treated well”. As a kind of gift, I wanted to uphold there wishes. It happened to be that I was working on the braiding technique that allows the books to return to their original state. I like to believe the set came to me just for that project.
New article about Specimen and the University of Michigan on Books On Books.
Currently moving back into fairy tale work. I’ve got some ideas for the stories I want to use, themes I have been researching, and there may even be a sound piece! The images above are some early sculptural mock-ups and progress shots of my silver jumprope (from the story I will be writing for the series). More to come when my feet are firmly planted in the ideas.
neska-polita asked: Hello there. I would like to know if I could post some of your pictures in my blog, which is a library blog. It would illustrate a post on "new acquisitions". I'm a new user to tumblr so I don't know if this is the place to ask, but I hope so. Best! Julia
Absolutely, as long as you can credit the images to me somewhere. If you are just reposting here on tumblr it will do that for you. If it’s on another blog, just include my name, Math Monahan. Thanks.
pgaelan asked: I love your work. It's so elegant and quiet.
Thank you! I think those words are important for me in my work, no matter the concept.
Screen shots of beginning video work.
© Math Monahan
Okay, like every winter holiday, it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. The 1st and 2nd-Year show is over, I got some great feedback. Now it’s on to the ‘next’ thing. I’m planning to push Specimen forward and in various directions. Along with that, I am working on some other ideas (seen here) including sculptural pieces and even experimenting with video. These are just some in progress studio shots, used to get me to create a post with a bit of writing. Anyway, I’m using some aspects from Between in my video piece. I’ve been creating situations in which a pair of books, having been weaved together, return themselves to their book state. Screen shots are on their way.
