Books as true masterpieces

There’s a mystery in Scotland. No, not a new Ian Rankin or Alexander McCall Smith novel. But it does involve books – cut up, dissected, bent, and folded. And they’re all the more beautiful because of it.

This is the second year that wonderful paper sculptures made from books have been appearing throughout the country, in time for Book Week Scotland, which closed on December 2. Last year, there were 10 sculptures. This year there are five. Who is the artist? That’s the mystery. All that is known is that she is a woman.

 These sculptures are quite magical. You can see all of them on the Scottish Book Trust site.

My favourite this year is Peter Pan and Wendy ....

  ...  but then, I can’t go to London without visiting Peter’s statue in Kensington Gardens. 

Books used as an art medium is not a new thing, but it is to me. I came aware of it just a few weeks ago when media covered the unveiling of The Machine Gunners, more-than-life-sized replicas of toy soldiers made from recycled books on the topic of war, appropriately in time for Remembrance Day.

When I started researching this art form, I found sculptures made from children’s books, fantastical bas relief from carved out books, abstract art, landscapes, portraits, even pop-ups. Check out some of these creations on the Hongkiat website and on this Tumblr page. There’s even a Pinterest site for "altered books". Who knew?

I’m now looking at the overstuffed bookcases at home with a new eye. The ebook will  never look so good or inspiring.

Speak out now: Free expression in Canada

The Canadian Journalists for Free Expression want your input on how access to information could – and should -- be improved in Canada. For those who don’t know CJFE, it’s an independent Canadian organization that works to protect journalists, freedom of expression, and access to information in Canada and around the world. They’re good guys.

Tomorrow is the 2012 CJFE Gala “A Night to Honour Courageous Reporting.” The event is an opportunity to recognize the courage of those who stand up for free expression. This year they will be honouring Rami Jarrah (Syria) and Mae Azango (Liberia) with the International Press Freedom Awards. Daniel Henry (Canada) will be receiving the Vox Libera Award, and Radio-Canada's program Enquête (Canada) will be accepting the Tara Singh Hayer Award.

A note: Last year’s winner of the Vox Libera Award was Ron Haggart, honoured posthumously. His daughter—my colleague Kelly Haggart—has very recently published an ebook of her father’s writings, Cool Heads at Kingston Pen, his account of the 1971 riots at Kingston Penitentiary. Haggart was instrumental in mediating an end to the crisis.

Tomorrow CJFE also launch their new video on the current state of access to information in Canada.

If you don’t have time to watch it (it’s really short) the bottom line is this: Canada ranks 55th out of 93 countries surveyed for freedom of expression. The study was carried out by the Centre for Law and Democracy.

And so, CJFE asks your input into a submission for the Office of the Information Commissioner on the changes needed to update and improve the system. Help improve the state of access to information in Canada: complete the survey.