Tape-Squished Trash
Read more about the book-making plan for 2022 and 2023Ā here.
When this project started I couldn’t decide on whether a book focused on transparency meant using vellum or squishing things between clear packing tape (or something similar). After making a start at collecting possible materials, I’m now set on just doing both of those ideas.
First up: squishing items between tape.
Packing tape-squishing is something I’ve done a lot of in the past for daily assignments involving thread – in 2018 and March of 2021 especially. (Turns out “laminating” small strands of thread is an incredible way to get fun and unexpected shapes – I usually make a bunch ahead of time and use them for collages as I go.)
As for trash, well… you can read about my mild obsession with cast-off collecting here and see examples in the 2019 trash journal and past collages. I find real beauty in squished, tattered, ripped, and stepped-on sidewalk bits. They feel like little lost stories.
I’ve been collecting small scraps for several months now – quite a bit of it on a recent trip to England – and I think the trash deserves a book all its own. I really do think I’ll be using packing tape to laminate the scraps, but the cover and binding method are up in the air. I’ve played around with stitching on torn cardboard for a possible cover, but maybe I should keep the book clear from start to finish?
I found this “WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.” business card to be particularly creepy. I love it.
