Curious Pursuits Press ~ North Carolina
(Sharon A. Sharp)

How Bat Entered English
By Sharon A. Sharp
Boone, North Carolina: Sharon A. Sharp, 2010. One-of-a-Kind.

6.75 x 12.75" closed, opens to 12.75 x 12.75 x 6.5"; 38 pages. Tumble/flutter book. Inkjet printed images and text on Southworth office paper. Thai marble momi papers tipped on interior pages and pastedowns. Bound using black tyvek. Bound in Asahi bookcloth over binder's board. Metal brad and Irish linen thread closure with glass bead adornment.

Sharon A. Sharp: "While serving as Mammoth Cave National Park's 2009 artist in residence, I learned a lot about bats and their remarkable traits, as well as about a virulent disease, white nose syndrome, that now threatens their existence. Since our linguistic associations often shape our interest in protecting animals, I wanted to explore how our perceptions of bats and even of their name have taken shape. (Also, I welcome any good reason to plunge into the history of words.) Upon learning that bats were once referred to as 'flutter mice,' I wanted to use a book form that would suggest the movements and shape of these enigmatic mammals."
$350

Something Done by Quiet Being
By Sharon A. Sharp
Boone, North Carolina: Sharon A. Sharp, 2009. One-of-a-Kind.

3.625 x 6 x 1"; 46 pages. Fan book. Tibetan printed lokta, unryu rice, and Canford papers. Glassine envelope pages. Designs created with sumi-e ink. Text ink jet printed. Text in English and Morse code. Red paper shapes move freely within the envelopes. Bound in paper-covered museum board with single metal ring. Black Irish linen thread tie closure at opposite corner of ring. Embossed rectangle on front board containing paper title label.

Sharon Sharp: "The title and text are from Lao-Tzu's Tao Te Ching, as translated by R. B. Blakney. Within the glassine envelopes, text appears in both Morse code and English, with each page containing a single word. The reader is invited to fan through the pages from front to back and then turn the book over and continue reading. As in life, the excerpt's wisdom unfolds gradually, in fragmentary ways that reveal the whole."
$225

Flowing Essence
By Sharon A. Sharp
Boone, North Carolina: [Curious Pursuits Press], 2005. Edition of 30.

2.625 x 3.875" closed, extends to 10"; 18 pages. Interlocking accordions and two pamphlet-stitched signatures. Mohawk cover-weight, Canson Mi-Tientes, Thai unryu, and office papers. Original linocut printed on a Vandercook press. Text: handwritten and inkjet printed. Bound in blue papers with metal brad and metallic thread closure. Glass bead adornment on tassel closure.

Sharon Sharp: "This book is a meditation on water's powerful, mysterious role in our lives and language. The wonder of the hydrologic cycle is represented on the smaller, torn edged accordion filled with handwriting, and water's infusion of our language is celebrated in the single signature pamphlets.

"One suggestion for readers: To enjoy the first signature even more, write down your definition of water before reading this portion of the book."
$100

Great Good/Bad Fortune
By Sharon A. Sharp
Boone, North Carolina: Curious Pursuits Press, 2009. One-of-a-Kind.

5.25 x 8.5 x 2.25" closed, opens to 15 x 8.5 x 5"; 10 pages. Flag book. Printed on Southworth printing papers. Illustrations on transparency film. Laser and inkjet printed. Bound in black stiff wraps covered with Indian metallic-marbled cotton papers. Magnet closures at spine. Red satin ribbon tie closure at foredges. Bead adornments on ribbon.

Sharon A. Sharp: "While serving as Mammoth Cave National Park's 2009 artist-in residence, I learned a lot about bats and their remarkable traits, as well as about the virulent disease, white-nose syndrome, that now threatens their existence. I became interested in how Westerners' and Easterners' perceptions of bats have taken shape and in why they have contrasted so sharply. Since we Westerners have all too often demonized these invaluable mammals, their survival may hinge on shifts in our understanding of them.

"To open this book, gently untie the ribbon bow, then gently pull apart the two pieces at the spine, each of which contains a magnet. Although this book can be viewed and read with the magnetized spine closures together, the best display generally is a full opening."
(SOLD)