The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert

Deadline for Submissions: October 1, 2008 (RECEIVE)

The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert
The Koffler Gallery
Koffler Centre of the Arts
Toronto, Ontario
October 30 to November 10, 2008


Guest Curator: Liya HyunJoo Choi
Held in conjunction with the Koffler Centre of the Arts 32nd Annual Jewish Book Fair

Part of FLEX… an ongoing program of site-works and interventions organized by the Koffler Gallery of the Koffler Centre of the Arts


About the Bookmark Project

For the seventh year in a row, the Koffler Gallery is organizing The Bookmark Project, an intervention of artist-designed bookmarks concurrent with the annual Jewish Book Fair organized by the Koffler Centre of the Arts. This year’s theme, Insert, explores the interplay between the reader and the bookmark in the act of reading. The reader inserts him/herself into a book, activating it with their emotions, memories, and thoughts. When the reader pauses, the act of inserting a bookmark tangibly signals a temporary exit while simultaneously indexing the point of re-entry into the text. As an insert, the bookmark becomes a place holder for the reader’s hands, eyes, and thoughts, marking territory and preserving their intimate relationship with the book. Denoting the reader’s absence, the bookmark’s presence echoes their memory inside the book. Upon returning, the reader once again replaces the bookmark in order to immerse back into the text. The act of reading therefore proceeds in the continual interchange between the reader and the bookmark, initiated and sustained by the process of ‘inserting’.

Both unique bookmarks and multiples created by fine art students and practicing artists will be introduced into the 8,000 books on display during the Koffler 32nd Annual Jewish Book Fair held from October 30 to November 10, 2008. The event draws an attendance of approximately 10,000. The bookmarks will also be on display in the Koffler Gallery showcase through November.


Requirements

Bookmarks for the intervention should be functional and should not damage or scratch the books on display. Artists are requested to submit two original bookmarks: one for the public intervention that will not be returned, and one for display in the showcase. Artists whose bookmarks are selected for this project will receive a nominal artist fee, determined by the number of participating artists and issued by mail within 30 days of the close of the exhibition.

Results will be announced shortly afterwards.
For more information, please see www.kofflerarts.org
or contact Liya HyunJoo Choi at bookmarkproject2008@gmail.com

Forward submissions by mail to:

The Bookmark Project 2008
Attention: Liya HyunJoo Choi
The Koffler Gallery
Koffler Centre of the Arts
4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2R 1W6
Tel. (416) 636-1880 x268; Fax (416) 636-5813