Response from a Librarian/Respuesta de una Bibliotecaria

I received the Migratory Book after purchasing artwork of Michelle Wilson's. I looked up her profile and was instantly interested. Libraries are a dying architectural expression and social place. It is strange to see that books will evolve by becoming independent of the building and the place that connected us to them.

By participating in this exercise I came to think about the library check out card and how that connected us to the book, the building and to each other. I Googled it and found others had a romantic memories of it as well... Here is one...."The checkout card was simple and symbolic. To sign the card with my signature was, of course, on the most basic level a way for the library to have accountability; I had taken the book. However, signing one’s name to any document creates a relationship and a commitment.

By signing my name to a library book, I committed myself to some type of relationship with this author and material. Scanning a bar code does not have the same connection. Signing the checkout card could mean an intimate relationship–late nights, rereading passages, and anticipation. At other times, the commit was more platonic, and it could even border on benign neglect. However, the signature on that thin blue line and the rubber stamped date beside it was an inked contract with this book."

Now this blog is the virtual check out card that links us to one another, the author and the place, a place bigger than a building. My memories of the library are old, and sweet. I spent many hours there and checked out books for so many reasons. Assignments, studying, for pleasure and amusement. Sometimes I would just check out a book, because of who else had checked it out, I would always open the book to the back to see who held it last, who held it first. Was I the first that would sign on the thin blue line and have the red date stamped in first, was the spine still stiff will newness or were the pages dog eared. Did the boy I so desperately had a crush on hold it last, what did he love about the book, would that give me a hint into his heart. All silly things, but things that connect us to each person through a place and over time. I hope blogging about a book, will be this next evolution of the library check out card, to connect us.

Poetic Response from a Traveler/Respuesta Poetica de una Viajera

Compound Ceremonies (A Poem from Ethiopia)

(for Greg)

I saw your death in the hills,
One rose like the Martiniquaise Diamont.
Loomed above, struck like a monolith,
A headline for your obituary.

Today’s manuscripts were forged in 30 kg. of gold,
Etched in recurring forms,
No artist would admit to these letters.

My lover phoned, non-caffeinated.
I stared at panoramas pre-biblical in origin.
Few syllables seemed magnified by the tchat,
Lidded by this strange narcolepsy.

Now I’d walk, crank a lantern,
Don borrowed gloves,
Climb alongside crutches,
Ox horns poised to gore.
Slurp soup from a chicken I’d passed roadside
On the arm of a boy who had petted it
Like a kitten or a pigeon.

Milky blind eyes, unexpected limbs,
A polio survivor who wore four shoes to support his hands,
Frail old women who feverishly kiss the steps of St. Mary’s church,
Miracles in the film on their lips,
Every day a pilgrimage six hours ahead.

More nervous here than in Dire Dawa,
“City of Thieves,”
When solicited for crosses and camels,
I try to pronounce the Amharic for husband.
This sounds something like bahl.

I’ll leave clothes for baskets,
Buy necklaces in threes,
String instruments in blankets,
Celebrate thirty-three among Ethiopia eyes,
Smelling your funeral in incense and campfire.

Bonnie Macallister


If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Migratory Books at the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education/Libros Migratorios en el Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

The Migratory Books Project was selected by Zoe Cohen, Art Program Manager at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, for inclusion in the exhibition Nest and Branch. Read an interview with the curator here.

El Proyecto Libros Migratorios fue elegido por Zoe Cohen, la encargada de programas de arte en el Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, para inclucion en la exposición Nest and Branch. Lea un artículo con la curadora aquí.




The Migratory Books were also featured in two recent articles by Mary Tasillo, Bound and Lettered and the Journal of Artist Books. Both articles appear under the title Democratic Organization, and are based on Mary's talk at the 2008 Pyramid Atlantic Conference and Book Art Fair. Thanks Mary!

Los Libros Migratorios también fueron ofrecidos en dos articulos de Mary Tasillo, Bound and Lettered y Journal of Artist Books. Los dos aparecen bajo el nombre Democratic Organization, y venido del discurso de Mary en la 2008 Pyramid Atlantic Conference and Book Art Fair. Muchisimas gracias, Mary!


If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Canadian Connections/Conexión de Canada

The migratory book you send me has left me and I'm finally responding to your question. The book has now traveled from Ontario to one of the western provices of Canada...Alberta. It's in good hands! Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this project and for your patience in waiting to hear from me.

what connects us?

a need to see ourselves
reflected in each
other

as a way to measure
distance on this
journey....

for comfort
and
acknowledgement

and a need to be one....

Photos from Ethiopia/Fotos de Ethiopia

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Migratory Books in Ethiopia/Libros Migratorios en Ethiopia

Thanks to Bonnie Macallister, who will be carrying Migratory Books with her this July. Bonnie is a recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Grant for Ethiopia. After this summer, the Migratory Books will have visited every contienent except Antartica. Bonnie tells me that electricity and internet access are a bit sketchy, but any and all responses are always welcome!

Muchisimas gracias a Bonnie Macallister, quién llevará los libros migratorios con su este julio. Bonnie es un recipiente de un Fulbright-Hays Grant, para Ethiopia. Después de este verano, los libros migratorios habrán visitado cada contienent excepto Antartica. Electricidad y acceso del red es difícil, pero, todas las respuestas son agradables.

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Local Philadelphia Response

what connects us? pain and desire

where am i? philadelphia

where is the book going? i'm going to mail it to my doctor/artist friend in texas first thing tomorrow morning.

¿qué nos conecta? ? El dolor y el deseo

¿dónde estoy? Filadelfia

¿adónde este libro va? voy a enviarlo a mi doctor/artista amigo en texas en la mañana.

Response from Rebecca Gilbert/Respuesta de Rebecca Gilbert.

Muchismas gracias!

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please drop me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Migratory Books on Nexus Radio/Los Libros Migratorios en el Radio Nexus

On February 1, from 2-4 PM, I will be participating in a Zine Reading on Nexus Radio, the current project at Nexus Foundation for Today's Art. Organized by Katie Haegele of The Lala Theory, I will be reading from both the Spanish and English versions of the Migratory Books Project.

Other readers will be in attendance, including Bonnie MacAllister. Nexus Foundation for Today's Art is located at 1400 North American Street, on the first floor of the Crane Arts Building, in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood. Hope to see some of you there!

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please drop me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

En El Febrero 1, a las 2-4, yo participaré en una lectura de zines en el Radio Nexus, el proyecto actualmente al Nexus Foundation for Today's Art. Organizado de Katie Haegele del Lala Theory, leeré de los versiones inglés y castellano de los Libros Migratorios.

Otro lectores estarán allí, por ejemplo Bonnie MacAllister. Nexus Foundation for Today's Art se localiza en 1400 North American Street, en el primer piso del Crane Arts Building, en el barrio Kensington de Filadelfia. ¡Esperanza de verle allí!

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Response from Long Beach, CA/Respuesta de Long Beach, CA

I think what connects us is entertainment because no matter what the subject, we are all connected to each other by what we like. For example, reading a book. We enjoy reading and that connects our thoughts with the writer, the maker of the book, the maker of the fonts used in the book, the designer of the book jacket, etc. Another is watching a movie. When we watch a movie we also connect with the creators of the movie along with the people we watch it with. Just a favorite pastime like fishing can connect a father with his children. Therefore, through having fun, we connect with each other.

I really enjoyed the book you made. I received the book from Cathy Chambers who works at the Millard Sheets Library at Otis College of Art and Design in LA. I'm sending the book to Georgia to my mother-in-law whom I think would appreciate it very much.

Take care and happy new year!

Karly Kojimoto
Long Beach, CA

Migratory Books at Pyramid Atlantic/Libros Migratorios en Pyramid Atlantic

This weekend, the Migratory Books will be featured in "Context is King," a talk by Mary Tasillo at the Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair and Conference. They will also be part of the noncurated exhibition The Democratic Multiple, that will be on display during the fair.

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please drop me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.


Este fin del semana, los Libros Migratorios será ofrecido en "Contexto es El Rey," un diologue de Mary Tasillo, en la Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair y Conferencia. En addicion, los libros sea una parte de la exposición, El Múltiplo Democrático, cuál usted puede ver durante el fair.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

New Response/Nueva Respuesta

Today I received the following response:

Hi!

Judith Hoffberg passed your book along to me, and I like it quite a lot (have kept it far too long, in fact). I will pass it on this weekend. I tried to post a comment, but the program didn't make it possible. I will simply say to you that I think that what connects us is hope. Janice Mercure

Thanks Janice, for your response and for participating.

Recibí hoy esta respuesta:

Hola!

Judith Hoffberg me dio su libro, y me gusta mucho (Lo he tenido por mucho tiempo). Lo pasaré este fin del semena. Intenté, pero su programa no esta trabajo. Le digo qué nos conecta es la esperanza. Janice Mercure

Muchisimas gracias a Janice por su participación!

If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments," button to post your responses, or send me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor, usa el botón de "Comments," for sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a la rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Gracias!

Migratory Books in Baltimore, MD/Libros Migratorios en Baltimore, MD

This week I received the following email from Blaise Tobia:

Last month we were. . . in Baltimore, and I saw a spot that called out for me to deposit your Libro Migratorio. It was a little "free book exchange library" built as an artwork in the median of Mt. Royal Ave. just outside MICA. Some photos are attached.

Este semena yo recibí este email de Blaise Tobia:


El mez pasado estamos . . . en Baltimore, y vi un lugar eso era perfecto para su Libro Migratorio. Fue un instalación del arte en la forma de "biblioteca libre del intercambio de libro," en el mediano de Mt. Royal Ave, cerca de MICA. Fotos se atan.


If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" botton to post your responses, or send me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas, or mandeme un email at rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Gracias!

New Response from England/Respuesta Nueva de Angleterra

Thanks to Andrew, who sent the following:
Gracias a Andrew, quién envió esta respuesta:

QUE NOS CONECTA?
I was given a Migratory Book in Somerset, West of England, and have brought it back to Spain, where I will be passing it on in the next few days.

Best Wishes,

Andrew

OF THE TALL TREES

May the peace of the tall trees

be with you

May the strength of the tall trees

be with you

May the delicacy of the new shoots of trees

be with you

May the trees’ nourishing of small birds and insects

be with you

May the deep rooted-ness in the earth of the tall trees

be with you

May the knowledge that all trees grow from the same earth

be with you

May the knowledge that all trees are growing towards the same sun

be with you

May the words that the trees whisper to the wind

be with you

May the peace of the tall trees

be with you

May the strength of the tall trees

be with you.

If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" button to post your responses, or email them to me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor, usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a la dirección electronica rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com.

Response from England/Respuesta de Angleterra

Thank to Ama, in England, who sent the following response:

Gracias a Ama, en Angleterra, quién envió esta respuesta:


WHAT CONNECTS US?



I to you

one to another

we are connected by lines on a map:

the flight-paths of innumerable birds

each annually reaffirming

its three-dimensional map of the world

– a map whose principal features are

perching-places

drinking-places

feeding-places

meeting-places

nesting-places.



Highways, railroads, cities are of no significance.

Borders

watchtowers

guard-posts

barbed wire

immigration control:

these are meaningless.



The lie of the land

the angle of the sun

the mood of the sea

the cast of the wind

the set of the stars:

these are significant.



We are connected by a web

woven across the years

stitched across the sky

binding us together

one to another

I to you.





Ama, in England, recipient of book no. 63 which has now flown to a village in the mountains of southern Spain.

If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" button to post your responses, or email them to me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor, usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a la dirección electronica rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com.

Migratory Books in China, Uruguay, and Italy / Libros Migratorios en China, Uruguay, y Italia

The Migratory Books have now reached China, Uruguay, and Italy. Thanks to Blaise Tobia and Virgina Maksymowicz, who carried and released a Migratory Book in China. Virginia writes, "I'm attaching a photo of us in Guilin, the place where all those traditional Chinese landscape painters made their watercolors. Just like when we saw the New Mexico hills that Georgia O'Keefe painted, we now realize that the Chinese painters were super-realists, not abstractionists!"

In addition, two Migratory Books are part of the Concentrado Poesia Experimental event in Montevideo, Uruguay, organized by Clemente Padin. This event will take place in the Galeria de Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura in August 2008.

The Migratory Books are also part of the BAU Container of Contemporary Culture's multimedia festival, taking place in Viareggio, Italy. The theme of 2008 Festival is PLACES OF UTOPIA, and will feature a hands-on reading room of books called THE UTOPIAN LIBRARY. This library will feature among others, the Migratory Books, and selections of books from the Ethereal Open Network archive.

If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" button to post your response, or email them to me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ahora, Los Libros Migratorios estan en China, Uruguay, y Italia. Muchisimas gracias a Blaise Tobia y Virginia Maksymowicz, por llevando un libro a China y liberándolo allí. Virginia escribió, "Yo que ata una foto de nosotros en Guilin, el lugar donde todos esos pintores del paisaje del chino tradicional hicieron sus acuarelas. Apenas como cuando vimos las colinas de New México esa Georgia O'Keefe pintó, nosotros ahora realiza que los pintores chinos eran estupendo-realistas, no los abstractionists!"

Además, los Libros Migratorios son un parte de Concentrado Poesia Experimental, un evento en Montevideo, Uruguay, organizado de Clemente Padin. Este evento ocurrirá en Galeria de Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura, en agosto 2008.

Los Libro Migratorios estan un parte de BAU Continitore di Cultura Contemporanea tambien. Este festival de multimedia está ocurriendo en Viareggio, Italia. La tema de festival 2008 es LUGARES DE UTOPÍA, y tendrá un cuarto donde libros que pueden ser tocados, llamó LA BIBLIOTECA UTÓPICA. Esta biblioteca ofrecerá, con otros, los Libros Migratorios, y selecciones de el archivo de Ethereal Open Network.

Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a la dirección electronica de rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Gracias!

Response from Oregon

Jean Marvell, of Corvallis, Oregon (USA), emailed the following response:

"I believe it is NEED that connects us."

Thanks to Jean for participating. If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments," button to post your responses, or email them to me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Jean Marvell, de Corvallis, Oregon (USA), envió esta respuesta:

"Creo que es la necesidad que nos conecta."

Muchisimas gracias a Jean para su participación. Para los ustedes que son recipientes de Libros Migratorios, por favor usa el botón de "Comments," para sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com.

First Visual Response/Primer Respuesta Visual

The first visual response to the Migratory Books has been received, from Kimberly@Varykino, of Lynden, Washington, USA. The Migratory Books welcomes all responses, visual or written, in all languages. If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" button to post your responses, or email at rocinantepress (at) gmail.com. Thanks to all of those who have participated!

El primer respuesta visual de los Libros Migratorios fue recibido, de Kimberly@Varykino, de Lynden, Washington, USA. Los Libros Migratorios acepta todos los respuestas, visuales o texto, en todos las idiomas. Si un recipiente de un Libro Migratorio, por favor, usa el botón de "Comments" para sus respuestas, o mandeme un email a rocinantepress (a) gmail.com. Gracias por sus participación!

Welcome Book-Arts-L/Benvenidos a Books Arts-L

The Migratory Books have recently been released to members of the Book-Arts list serv. Thanks to all who participated - in the USA, books have now been released to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Oregon,Illinois, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia, and North Carolina. Outside of the USA they have been released in Argentina, Cuba, Canada, England, and Germany. Please use the "Comments" button to share your responses. I'm looking forward to everyone sharing their thoughts!

Los Libros Migratorios fueron lanzados a los miembros del Book-Arts-L. Muchisimas gracias a todos - en los Estados Unidos, los libros fueron lanzados en Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Oregon,Illinois, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia, y North Carolina. Afuera de los Estados Unidos se han lanzados en Argentina, Cuba, Canada, Angleterra, y Alemania. Por favor, usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas. Me excitan para ver los pensamientos y ideas de ustedes!

Libros Migratorios en Mendoza, Argentina/Migratory Books in Mendoza, Argentina

Este semana, los Libros Migratorios llegado en Mendoza, Argentina, con mi suegro, Jose Angel Wuilfe. El los distribuirá a mi familia allí. Hola Familia! Besos grandes y abrazos a todos! Mandanme sus respuestas o usa el botón de "Comments" por sus respuestas. Gracias, y saludos a todos, los extrañamos.

This week, the Migratory Books arrived in Mendoza, Argentina, with my father-in-law, Jose Angel Wuilfe. He will be distributing them to my family there.

If you are a recipient of a Migratory Book, please send me your comments, or use the "Comments" button to post them here. Thank you for participating!

Migratory Books/Libros Migratorios at Gallery Aferro

On April 19, 2008, the Migratory Books were released in Newark, NJ, as part of the exhibition Networked, at Gallery Aferro. If you received a Migratory Book, please use the "Comments" button to post your response. In addition, please help the books on their travels by passing them on to others, to ensure the migration continues. Thank you for participating!

En el 19 de Abril, 2008, los Libros Migratorios fueron lanzados en Newark, NJ, como parte de el exposición Networked, en la Gallery Aferro. Si usted es un recipient de un Libro Migratorio, por favor, usa el botón de "Comments," por su respuesta. Además, por favor, dándolos a otros, para asistirles en sus viajes, y asegurar las migraciones continuan. Gracias por sus participacion!