Mail Art: Chunky Book Page; Quote Theme

Mail Art: Chunky Book Page; Quote Theme

Chunky Books or Fat Books are thick and yes, chunky.  Intentionally part magic and part treasure; embellishments, attachments and the additive nature common in construction give a Chunky Book its name as well as its character.  The Chunky Book format and process falls within the genre of Mail Art.  Projects are often facilitated via the net and easily connect a wide range of artist-players from around the globe.

Any number of players may be involved in making a Chunky Book. Each player makes a specified number of pages, usually one to five pages. They make enough of their pages so that one of each page can go into each book that is to be made.  There are a number of ways a player can make a page. There are a number of ways the process of building and binding a Chunky Book can be worked. 

Chunky Book pages are 4 x 4 inches, including the area for binding.  Attachments and embellishments include anything that can be attached to the page; ribbon, grommets, buttons, paper, wire, beads, photos, shells, cloth, coins, clay, laminated leaves, flowers, seaweed to name a few.  Painting, drawing, stamping and printing is also used in making chunky pages along with many other processes associated with art, crafting and other endeavors.  In some cases photo copying an original page is acceptable as long as embellishments are added to each photocopy and the page, which can be mounted onto stronger material, is sturdy enough to hold the attachments. The front and back of each page is considered as working area because both sides are seen in the book.  The back of a page can be a piece all of its own or it can be used for contact information in a visually reasonable presentation.  Contact information is intended to be part of a chunky page. Sometimes pages are each made individually.  There will always be some variation between each page even when photocopying techniques are used because of the embellishments which are added to each page.

Finished pages are submitted to a host through postal mail along with Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelopes or stamps and any other requirements called for in the project. The host organizes the pages into the individual books. Each book is then bound. Typical binding processes are usually simple; rings, spiral wire or combs are often used although any binding method that works to hold a book together is appropriate.  The number of pages submitted is often determined by the number of players in the project.  This is so that each player submitting pages will receive a book in return that contains a page from each player.  Sometimes an "extra page" for an "extra book" is called for so that one book can be used as an example or as an exhibition book.

The page (front and back shown) in this article is for two different swaps.  It may take many steps in the process for me to make a good Chunky Book page. There are many Chunky Book projects that would like submissions. Because of this, when possible I make pages that will fit a couple of Chunky Book Themes. I also intentionally make several extra pages.  This way I have an extra page or two in case something goes wrong with one of the pages I am working on and so that I have a record of the pages I have made. Occasionally there is a call for "extra Chunky Book pages" with the intention of making Chunky Books from these.  It's fun to participate in this kind of exchange. Each chunky page is unique even though some elements are consistent. This makes all Chunky Books unique.

One swap the above chunky page, Dragon Claw & Feather, is going to is with 12 players, each player will submit 12 versions of their page for the books that are to be made.  The theme of this swap is simply "Quotes".  I chose a quote that I find valuable to keep in mind when sketching: To See, Look Without Naming. 

The second swap these chunky pages will go to is an ongoing Open Theme Chunky Book Monthly Page Swap where any number of players submits five of their pages.  There are usually between 20 and 30 players submitting to this swap each month.  Each of these players will receive in return five pages, one each from five other players.  These pages are then added to the player's own Open Theme Chunky Book.  This Chunky Book Monthly Page Swap will go on for a year, meaning each player will end up with a book that cold contain up to 60 pages.  This Monthly Swap is a "no stress" swap, meaning a player can submit pages for the months they choose but are not required to submit every month; this allows a player to submit when possible without worrying about a full year of commitment for every month.

Every player will have their own processes and materials that they like to use to create chunky pages. Rather than photocopying one page and then embellishing each photocopy, I prefer to make each of my pages individually.  By repeating the concept and some elements pertinent to the theme while drawing, painting or otherwise working each page I create very personal and individual pages. On the chunky page shown with this article I have used a digital collage among other elements. One of the things I like about digital processes is that elements I create can continually be reworked in evolving ways. Elements of this particular collage are also used in my current Gather icon.

The fascination of holding and looking through a Chunky Book is personal and engaging.  The individuality of each player-artist is in their work.  Attitude, inspiration, personality, methods of working, each page is an amazing story in itself.  The collection of pages in each Chunky Book is an awing opportunity in which to explore, knowing that each page is in a number of other books which links the viewer with player-artists as well as other viewers. Chunky Books are a treasure that connects many people and processes across local, national and international boundaries.

When you have the opportunity either online or in hand, I encourage you to give a Chunky Book a good look, or contribute to one of the many Chunky Book projects that can be found online. It's a very human way to explore and expose your own creative nature.

A larger view of the Chunky Book page (front and back) accompanying this article can be seen by clicking on the image.

10-10-06

Gather

(C)06 Daddario