The cave protection act of 2013.

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Richmond
Rare Books and Special Collections
Boatwright Library
University of Richmond
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lynda Kachurek
Phone: (804) 289-8458
Fax: (804) 287-1840

Summary

Extent:
2 Items
Creator:
Ray, Michelle (Book artist) and Small Craft Advisory Press
Abstract:
"'The cave protection act of 2013' explores the meaning we insert into situations where direction in the form of signifiers is missing. The idea for the project came from a documentary about Centralia, Pennsylvania. This mining town was destroyed when an underground fire broke out, creating sinkholes and sucking the town into the earth. I reference these events in the text ... I respond to how Centralia developed a strong identity because of its erasure ... I worked from the text of 'The Federal Cave Protection Act of 1988', an oddly poetic bureaucratic document created to give sanctuary to bits of earth no longer present ... The piece's aesthetic echoes that of government documents in its tabbed pages, hierarchical information organization, and machine generated illustration"--Artist's statement at the Vamp & Tramp Booksellers' website, viewed on April 22, 2015.
Language:
English

Background

Physical description:
Four leaves of different lengths are sewn together to create two spines with a cut-out, pop-up structure between them creating a step-book. Housed in a three-flap wrapper with letterpress printed pressboard covers.
Physical facet:
1 volume : includes illustrations + slipcase
Dimensions:
20 cm
Material specific details:
"Written, designed, [letterpress] printed and bound by Michelle Ray at Small Craft Advisory Press and formLab, Facility for Arts Research, Florida State University"--Colophon. Rare Book Room copy is 27 of 35.