If there’s one thing you’ll find in our libraries it’s paper, tonnes of the stuff. But take a look at the beautiful paper sculptures below and you’ll realise there’s more to this versatile medium than you think.
Edinburgh’s mysterious paper artistOn 2 March 2011 a paper sculpture of a tree (how ironic!) was left on a table in the Scottish Poetry Library. That was the first of 11 sculptures anonymously left at museums, libraries and bookshops in Edinburgh. Most had a note attached and included the words, ‘A gift in support of libraries, books, works, ideas…’ The sculptures captured imaginations across the world, and even went on tour in libraries across Scotland last year. The artist remains unknown to this day!
The 'poetree'
Brian Dettmer’s carved booksOne day Brian decided to cut into a book with a craft knife…please don’t do this to our library books! But please do enjoy the stunning designs he has created by carving into the pages of old books to reveal new relationships between illustrations and text.
A book sculpture by Brian Dettmer
Eric Standley’s multi-layered paper sculpturesEric Standley uses a laser to cut intricate designs into pieces of card which he then layers to create stunning works of art. The piece below is from his ‘Either/Or Decreed’ collection and measures 18 inches square. We think this one looks like a stained glass window, overgrown with a mass of spindly roots.
Close up detail of sculpture
Laser cut sculpture by Eric Standley
Michael Hansmeyer’s paper columnsZurich-based artist Michael Hansmeyer is a ‘computational architect’ who produces incredibly complex columns from 1mm thick card cut to precision by lasers. He builds up the detailed columns in layers – the example below has around 15 million facets on its surface. Incredible.
Paper column by Michael Hansmeyer
Ingrid Siliakus’ pop-up cityscapesDutch artist Ingrid Siliakus makes 3D cities from single sheets of paper. Her designs are so detailed that they include balconies, windows and even people. They’re based around a 90 degree fold, just like traditional pop-up books.
Night and day pop-up cityscape
Feeling inspired?Take a look in the art and crafts books at your local library for ideas. For starters, try our books on origami!
Just launched! The Bookstart Bear Club is a free membership scheme for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers (chldren aged 0-5 years). Children will receive a paw print stamp added to their own special passport each time they visit with you to return a book, attend a bookstart event or attend a story time at the library. Once they have six stamps your child will receive a celebratory certificate. There are nine certificates to collect, including a special gold certificate once their passport is full.
Register your child with the Bookstart Bear Club today. Call into your local library to collect your child’s free membership pack.
Visit the Bookstart Bear Club website to discover more about the magic of sharing stories, books and rhymes with your child.
World Book Night is a celebration of reading during which thousands of passionate volunteers across the UK give out specially printed books in their communities to share their love of reading. We’re celebrating again this year with the events below, plus look out for book giving volunteers at locations across the city including Starbucks, Cafe De Vie and The Theatre Royal.
Denton Burn Library – 10:30am – 12noon
The free books being given out at Denton Burn Library are ‘The Secret Scripture’ by Sebastian Barry and ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’ by Tracy Chevalier. All are welcome for a coffee morning between 10.30am – 12noon with local author Graham Pears.
Moorside Library – 11am – 12noon
All are welcome for coffee and conversation. Copies of ‘Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal’ by Jeanette Winterson will be given.
City Library – 5pm – 8pm
Silver Belles will be singing in the Atrium of City Library from 5pm to kick start the night of free book giving. Then become a sleuth for the night in our special Murder Mystery event, written by author Ann Cleeves. Listen to witness statements and forensic reports to guess whodunit! After the confession is read, a prize will be awarded to the audience member closest to solving the murder. Copies of Ann’s books will be available to buy on the night. Book online for the Murder Mystery.
Please note that supplies of books are limited. You can also follow @WorldBookNight on Twitter or keep up to date using the #worldbooknight hashtag.
This year, Spring Online Week takes placed from 22 to 26 April 2013 so if you know someone who has never used the internet before or if you want to brush up your skills there’s no better time to go digital.
To celebrate Spring Online we’re running a number of ‘Silver Surfers’ drop-in sessions for the over 50s and ‘IT and Biscuits’ groups for complete beginners of all ages.
These sessions have proved hugely popular in the past with customers finding them ‘relaxed’, ‘enjoyable’ and ‘informative’. In fact, many people just keep coming back. One customer told us: ‘I’ve never used a computer before, now I want to learn more!’
So why not take the plunge and give it a try? Or, simply pop along and ask our friendly staff anything you want to know about the internet and getting online.
Silver Surfers for the over 50s
• Blakelaw Library, Tuesday 23 April 10am – 11.30am.
• City Library, Wednesday 24 April 2pm —5pm (1-2-1 sessions, 9x 1 hour sessions available – booking required).
• Moorside Library, Friday 26 April 10.30am – 12.30pm.
IT and Biscuits
• Gosforth Library, Tuesday 23 April 11am – 12noon.
• Walker Library, Thursday 25 April 2pm – 3pm.
• Kenton Library, Friday 26 April 11am-12noon.
• Jesmond Library, Friday 26 April 2pm – 3.30pm.
All sessions are completely free of charge.
For more information or to book for a sessions phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk. Sessions at City Library can be booked online.
This month Professor Máire Cross will talk about the life of Flora Tristan (1803-44), a French socialist writer and one of the founders of modern feminism. Later in the month we’ll be joined by Dr Anne Whitehead to discuss Pat Barker’s novel ‘Life Class’ (2008), which charts an art students life-changing experiences following the outbreak of World War One. All the lectures and book discussions are free.
LecturesFlora Tristan with Professor Maire Cross
6 March, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Forging New Limits: British Women Travellers in the Middle East 1894 – 1939 with Dr. Short
3 April, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Gender and Domestic Space with Dr Jarvis
1 May, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Pat Barker’s ‘Life Class’ with Dr Anne Whitehead
20 March, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Kate Mosse’s ‘Sepulchre’ with Katherine Cooper
17 April, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Agatha Christie’s ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ with Dr Stacy Gillis
15 May, 5pm – 6pm
Book online
Over 65s got to grips with the previously unfamiliar world of technology to digitally record their memories using iPads. With the help of a digital storyteller their recollections were then enhanced by evocative photographs from Newcastle’s past. Here’s John’s memory of the installation of the Millennium Bridge over the Tyne.
My Day from The Memory Box on Vimeo.
More stories about Newcastle can be found on the Memory Box website. You can also download the Memory Box app from iTunes.
The Memory Box was produced by Flo-culture in partnership with Newcastle Libraries and Newcastle Adult Learning Services. The creation of the application by Flo-culture has been financed by the Skills Funding Agency through the Community Learning Innovation Fund managed by NIACE.
‘Writing North East: Coalfields and Quaysides’ is a new exhibition at City Library which explores the representation of place in North East literature. Unseen material from local authors, including David Almond and Linda France, will be showcased alongside literary jewels from the British Library. Members of the Skimstone Young Artist Collective have created ‘Bewick’s Ark’ especially for the exhibition. Share your views and favourite North East authors or locations on Twitter using #writingNE.
Visit on level 6 of City Library until 31 July 2013.
In partnership with the British Library and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
