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A page from Seth Apter’s ‘Billboard’ on display at ‘Below the Surface’, a co-operative books arts exhibition organized by the Books Arts Roundtable and Printmaking Council of New Jersey at the Council’s gallery in Branchburg. The two-month long exhibit featured works by 24 book and printmaking artists. This unique exhibition, which explored the intersection where book arts and the printed surface meet, utilized structure, form, materials and content in creating work inspired by what lies "below the surface."
By Dominic Serrao/Examiner
BRANCHBURG – Art blogger and mixed-media artist Seth Apter is excited. Both of his artist book creations exhibited in his first juried exhibition, ‘Below the Surface’ at the Printmaking Council of New Jersey (PCNJ) gallery in Branchburg were sold. Organized by the Books Arts Roundtable of South Orange and PCNJ, the recent co-operative books arts exhibit featured works of 24 printmaking and book artists.
"The exhibition was a pleasure for me in every way. Being able to display my books and take part in an exhibit that highlights book arts was wonderful," said the New York City resident in an interview with the Examiner.
According to Apter, being able to touch and feel books made by other artists was inspiring as well. "And the fact that both of my books sold was very exciting," he added.
The two-month long exhibition offered artists an opportunity to explore the intersection where book arts and the printed surface meet. Each artist was asked to consider structure, form, materials and content that would assist them in understanding and creating work inspired by what lies below the surface.
Apter’s creation, 'Billboard' was inspired by the shape and visuals of old, previously used billboards. "These old billboards become abstract canvases which totally resonate with my love of things with a history, things distressed, things with layers, and things that have been changed by time," said Apter. His second book at the exhibition, 'Underground' featured altered photographs celebrating the urban beauty of New York City. "All the photographs were shot in New York to capture the impact of time, change, and movement," he said.
Apter was impressed with the creativity and diversity of the work on display. "There were so many different materials used including paper, metal, felt, wood, and mica and such varied bindings."
"Below the Surface can be interpreted in so many different ways, both literally and figuratively," said Apter. And this variety was captured by the books on display, he said.
"It was fascinating to see how each artist interpreted the theme of the show."
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