mnartists.org: Nora Lee McGillivray

TO BE READ IN THE LIGHT

Nora Lee McGillivray — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 04:30:50 GMT

I am inspired by the physicist's understanding that light is the primal element that makes everything possible; the philosopher's view that light is life, knowledge and reality; the mystic's belief that light is the divine...and Ezra Poind's idea that the book should be "a ball of light in one's hand." TO BE READ IN THE LIGHT is an interactive artist's book, in which pairs of printed images and13 very brief verses of words use light as material and metaphor to illustrate and provide luminous moments of discovery and understanding.

The Artist's Own Celestial Charts to Guide the Reader in Search of the Elusive & Changing CENTER

Nora Lee McGillivray — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 02:59:08 GMT

Following the creation of MAPPING THE GREAT BOOK (2001), with its centered book of star maps placing us at the very center of the visible Universe, I started wondering about the center of Universe and Self. The ancient peoples were secure in their sacred mountain and world tree centers. The early astronomers, whose books I love to read and whose artful maps and charts I love to see, believed that our planet Earth was the center of the Universe. Eventually, we were forced to relinquish our favored central place to the Sun -- giver of light and life -- until astronomers could see that our Sun was merely one of many, far off-center, in a spiraling galaxy that was the Universe. Now, we know there are galaxies galore and we are told that there is no center. What to do? What is the center? Where could it be? Why do we seek it? What difference does it make? How do we know when we've found it?

MAPPING THE GREAT BOOK

Nora Lee McGillivray — Sun, 07 Apr 2002 22:14:02 GMT

"Consider Brilliance with the Stars. Culminate in Galaxies of Astonishment." In MAPPING THE GREAT BOOK, Seven x Seven Celestial Scenes reveal the adventures and discoveries of Ladder as it explores the Universe. A limited-edition artist's book. Printed by the Sun at 45'03'N Latitude, 93'08'W Longitude. Who better than Ladder, master of ascent and connection, to reach higher and see more than we earth-bound creatures ever could? The old astronomers called the Universe a book -- "the Great Book." Ladder/Universe/Book -- the perfect combination of metaphors for me!

Between Us & Far Away (book closed)

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 05 Nov 2001 20:00:31 GMT

A Mysterious Black Box Opens to Reveal a Book that Unfolds & Unfolds & Unfolds in Amazement! at the Magnificent and Unfathomable Distances of the Universe. A limited-edition artist's book.

Between Us & Far Away (book opened)

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 05 Nov 2001 19:59:40 GMT

A Mysterious Black Box Opens to Reveal a Book that Unfolds & Unfolds & Unfolds in Amazement! at the Magnificent & Unfathomable Distances of the Universe. A limited-edition artist's book. Much of my work evolves from a fascination with the Universe...immeasurable distance, incomprehensible space, unimaginable time, unfathomable meaning, expanding mystery, unanswerable questions, knowing and not knowing, infinite creative energy...rich images in word and vision and my ludicrous attempts to respond.

Ladder Adventure - Chapter 3

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 05 Nov 2001 19:58:15 GMT

One of a series of photogram/cyanotype prints combining Ladder and Universe. To make white-on-blue photograms, paper is coated with a light-sensitive cyanotype chemical solution and printed when exposed to the ultraviolet light of the Sun in direct contact with objects placed on the paper. John Herschel, astronomer, invented the cyanotype in 1842, in order to reproduce the mathematical tables that documented his measuring of the distances to the stars.

Pine/Cone/Needles/Sun 9:00am 6/22/00

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 05 Nov 2001 19:57:19 GMT

One of a series of photogram/cyanotype prints made in the Sun of June 22, 2000. To make white-on-blue photograms, paper is coated with a light-sensitive cyanotype chemical solution and printed when exposed to the ultraviolet light of the Sun in direct contact with objects placed on the paper. John Herschel, astronomer, invented the cyanotype in 1842, in order to reproduce the mathematical tables that documented his measuring of the distances to the stars.

MOON

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 05 Nov 2001 19:55:56 GMT

Waxing, then waning, the bright moon shines through her phases, while the text wanes and waxes on the dark side. A limited-edition artist's book.

MOON

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 29 Oct 2001 16:51:32 GMT

Waxing, then waning, the bright moon shines through her phases, while the text wanes and waxes on the dark side. A limited edition artist's book. When reading this book, the reader holds the moon in her hands. I have always loved books. Words have always given me visual images. I wonder why it took so long for me to realize that I can make books of my very own -- books with word and image that fit together as perfectly as I can manage to make them fit and books where form has an equally important and sometimes literally boundless place. I like the way I can make a book move. I like the way a book will reveal its story gradually, teasingly, surprisingly. I am happy when the book's movement is a vital part of its story. I am happy when the artist's hand is not lost in the making and the reader's hand is not kept from the reading. I am charmed by books that are wrapped as treasures to be opened with delight.

CLIMB

Nora Lee McGillivray — Mon, 29 Oct 2001 16:39:54 GMT

A laddered fold book, CLIMB ascends as it is read, gradually revealing the conflict and comfort of Ladder. The Ladder is a potent image that has fascinated me ever since I took a ladder on vacation in 1989. Its symbolism is ancient and fresh. The Ladder connects time and space, cultures and worlds, the seen and the unseen, the beginning and the end. I am intrigued by the line of Ladder, the direction of Ladder, and the empty space of Ladder. I look for Ladders everywhere: in myth and art, in literature and history, in science and the daily news; in the city, in the country, in place, abandoned, and in use.