As Reno embraces the arts during Artown, the University Libraries is doing the same. Members of the northern Nevada community, University community, and fans of the arts are invited to join the Libraries, Black Rock Press, and Artown for "Spaces in Sequence: A Look at the Book as a Medium," Friday, July 12, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. Complimentary parking available in the Brian Whalen Parking Complex located on North Virginia Street.

"The idea with Book Arts is that it is an artistic impulse," AB Gorham, director of the University's Black Rock Press said. "For example, some artists funnel their creativity into painting, but book artists are interested in the tactile, time-based art object."

AB Gorham, director, Black Rock Press

"Book Arts looks at the relationship between content and form," Gorham said. "Book Arts is experimential. It is an homage to the subject matter with a focus on abstraction. It builds on the inherent intimate relationship between the book and the reader/viewer. It is portable and something that is to be experienced in sequence; much like you would move through the chapters of a book."

Books included in this exhibit span diverse themes, from personal identity to cultural identity, from break-ups to immigration narratives, memories of war, the conceptual side of owning and driving cars, and breeding standards and body image. The artist books approach their subjects with binding and materials choices that reflect these themes, and in doing so, expose, question, and rework the power structures that are entangled in each perspective.

"We are interested in using the book as a physical space to explore vast and varied themes, structures, modes of expression, highbrow and lowbrow ideologies-in what a book can do, be, and inspire." Gorham said.

At the July 12 Artown event Gorham will give a 30-minute presentation on the newest publications produced by Black Rock Press. She will discuss new releases, share photos and video, and will talk about Black Rock Press' outreach activities, as well as discuss Black Rock Press' collaborative work with University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives.

The presentation will take place inside the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center's Wells Fargo Auditorium, first floor. The letterpress printing demonstration will take place in the Whittemore Gallery located outside of the Wells Fargo Auditorium. Attendees will check in on the South side of the Carol Franc Buck Sculpture Garden. The area will be marked with signs.

"You Are Here" by Julie Chen can be found in Special Collections and University Archives

Book Arts books featured in "Spaces in Sequence: A Look at the Book as a Medium," the Libraries newest exhibit, are housed in Special Collections and University Archives. The Book Arts Collection includes printed books from the 15th-21st centuries, including works printed by the early European masters of the craft. Contemporary fine bookmaking is represented by an extensive collection of books produced by presses throughout the United States and Europe. It includes traditional letterpress books with classical typographical design and illustration; along with more avant-garde, non-traditional work and artists' books. The Collection provides a wide-range of books representing the work of significant presses, designers, typographers, and illustrators, in an effort to give users the best examples of the contemporary art and craft of bookmaking. The collection is used extensively in the teaching of Book Art classes which are part of the Art Department curriculum and taught by staff and lecturers from the University's Black Rock Press. This Collection is supported by the Dorothy Lazzarone Endowment for Special Collections. 

To attend this event, please reserve your space online via Eventbrite.