Memory Lame

Creator

Jessica Spring
Special Collections, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow
Fleet Library, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow

Files

Creation Date

2018

Keywords

artists' books; memory; mnemonics; handmade paper

Description

1 portfolio (5 folded sheets). Title from portfolio. Statement of responsibility taken from publisher's website. Edition of 25 copies, signed by the artist. "The contents of Memory Lame build from a central pentagonal memory palace composed of metal ornaments, cuts and borders. Opposite are excerpts from Rhetorica ad Herennium printed on Magnani paper. Forgetfulness from Questions about angels by Billy Collins, ©1991, is reprinted by permission of the University of Pittsburgh Press. Common mnemonic devices tease our memory, printed on sheets of handmade Saint-Armand. Tucked in each chapter are illustrations of plants that aid cognitive function, printed on transparent abaca. Text set in geometric shapes share the artist's grueling experience of cognitive and memory testing. Memory Lame is composed of metal, wood type and photo-polymer plates letterpress printed by Jessica Spring with binding by Gabby Cooksey. Abaca paper was handmade in residency at the Morgan Conservatory. The project was possible with Tacoma Arts Commission funding and support from the University of Puget Sound."--Colophon. "Memory Lame focuses on retention and loss of memory. The book structure must be built by the reader with content emanating from a central, pentagonal memory palace-the most common mnemonic place system-aided by cues of geometric shapes and large numerals. Surrounding the palace are excerpts from Rhetorica ad Herennium, the oldest known book on rhetoric and memory. Billy Collins' poem 'Forgetfulness' is repeated in each chapter, the text moving from black to gray as the reader circles the book. Common mnemonic devices tease the memory, printed on sheets of handmade Saint-Armand. Tucked in each chapter are illustrations of plants that improve cognitive function, printed on transparent abaca. Text set in geometric shapes share the author's grueling experience of cognitive and memory testing."--Artist's statement, Vamp & Tramp website.

RISD Fleet Library Catalog Record

https://librarycat.risd.edu/record=b1590556~S4

Press

Tacoma, Washington : Springtide Press, 2018.

Rights

©Spring, Jessica, Tacoma, WA: Springtide Press, 2018.

Materials / Techniques

letterpress printing; paper

Measurements

sheets 32 x 70 cm folded to 32 x 24 cm, in portfolio 32 x 24 x 2 cm + 1 notepad (string around a finger logo, 11 cm)