The Peace Library: Committee Statement
The Peace Library is a forum for a community dialogue about the concepts of war and peace. The format of handmade books was chosen for the intimacy that develops between artist and viewer. The emotions connected with war and peace are charged and often cause defensive and angry discussion. The very nature of the book form is comfortable, and hopefully a means of expression that allows for an understanding of artists' ideas inviting the viewer to "listen" to the work.
The hope is that the books will ask questions or present answers, express frustration, provide new thought, new emotional responses to conflict resolution, and to create a community dialogue that is presented in a body of work.
We offer an open invitation to book artists and community members to take part in this dialogue in the hopes that the concept will travel and widen the discussion of these contemporary issues.
In an effort to preserve the essence of each show an expandable catalog of work has been created for the Library. A handmade collection of all entries, the catalog offers a record of the work and a means of supporting the project to travel through sales of limited editions.
