THE EXPIRED SERIES
THE SIREN CALL OF CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA
EXPIRED explores the time-worn evidence of a disappearing communal experience found only in ex-library books. The first rite of passage upon learning how to write one’s name was once to inscribe it on a library checkout card, promising the book’s safe journey and return. In reading the list of names that had come before, I cradled a part of the book’s history. The curlicue handwritten names and room assignments revealed repeat patrons who had devoured the book past the due date. These declarations have now dissolved faster than we can witness as historic cards are removed permanently and barcodes take their place.
THE COMPLETE EXPIRED COLLECTIONS
THE SPINES
THE EDGES
THE BLANKS
THE CLOSE UPS
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE MUCH?
After culling through thousands of books each one was chosen for specific characteristics that best display the love poured into library books over their years on the stacks. Currently over 180 ex-library books have been individually photographed. Each was assessed, lovingly documented and alphabetically archived. The painstaking process was crafted with custom Sticky Notes within a complex library system of my own so that no exquisite detail was missed.
