It began in early 2011 when the folks at the Scottish Poetry Library discovered a ‘poetree’ on a bookshelf. The ‘poetree,’ a book sculpture comprised of intricately cut pages, had this note attached referencing a Patrick Geddes quote:
“ It started with your name @byleaveswelive and became a tree…
…We know that a library is so much more than a building full of books…a book is so much more than pages full of words…
This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas… a gesture (poetic maybe?)”
Poetree
By November ten of these sculptural gems had popped up all around Scotland and through the wonders of internet the mysterious book artist was known the world over for her work.
The Scotsman ran a story in July of 2011, Whodunit with the paperknife in the library?, professing a short list of possible suspects but to date no one has come forward.
But alas – earlier this month the BBC Scotland published an email exchange with the elusive book artist.
On why to remain anonymous she responded “Why would you focus on one ordinary individual? Libraries, galleries, museums etc are a better focus and a lot less ordinary.”
and on her motives:
I didn’t have a plan when I left the pieces. I chose places I love. I made works that I thought suited them, added tags with what I suppose is my mission statement: “In support of libraries, books, words and ideas” and placed them in situ.
That to me was the end. What happens next always was, and is, down to others.
In 2012 the book sculptures toured Scotland in an exhibition titled Gifted.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/OpXbTUgG-QM[/youtube]
Previously on Book Patrol
Banksy of the Book Art World