When we aren’t uploading literature to LED displays, you can find us making artists’ books. In fact, this contrast was part of the initial inspiration behind Literature Emitting Diodes. We were curious about how directly a work could be presented to the public, given the amount of work that can go into the production of an experimental publication. In fact, that term “publication” may be inappropriate since none of that work actually guarantees that the work will make it to the public – hence our interest in the direct appeal of the LED display.

Yet, in all this time, we never tried to marry the two interests. That’s why we were excited to see that the wonderfully talented book artist, Susan Lowdermilk, is doing just that — and teaching other people how to do it, too! Check out her upcoming workshop at the Oregon College of Art and Craft to see more. It’s called Shadow and Light: The LED Pop-Up Artist’s Book. The workshop runs from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26. There are still spots available and you can register using the link above.

We can’t wait to see what everyone makes! No doubt this will continue to be a rich area for exploration in book arts. There is certainly a rich overlap in mindset and skillset that makes bookbinding and circuitry a perfect pair. We’re grateful that artists like Lowdermilk and organizations like OCAC so forcefully demonstrate the evolving relevance of craft in the 21st Century.