As Mr. Forager & I go through our belongings, deciding what goes with us and what stays behind, one of the hardest things to part with have been books. Even as my family was packing up our Florida storage, it was so difficult to say “don’t ship it” to my books. But it feels like we have less and less time for reading these days. In fact, when I came upon these crystallized book sculptures by San Francisco artist Alexis Arnold, they reminded me of what my own mind feels like sometimes, having grown frozen from under-utilization!
Post Mortem, book, Borax crystals, 7x9x5
Cookbook, book, Borax crystals, 9x6x6.5
Reading stimulates the brain in ways other activities just don’t provide. If you’re like me, you actually feel differently when reading a book than you do when reading online or even a magazine. I feel like my mind is more engaged, more completely consumed than I do with any other type of reading.
San Francisco Magazine, magazine, Borax crystals, 11x6x5.5
The Catcher in the Rye, book, Borax crystals, 7x5x3
But for some reason, I just haven’t been compelled to pick up a book lately. I’ve been known to devour books within a few days time. Lately, though, in the evenings, normally prime reading time, I find myself reaching for my iPad instead, using the time to catch up on blogs or social media. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a super comfy reading spot in this apartment. Or maybe it’s because we only have overhead lighting ( which I hate! ), so there isn’t a cozy, makes-me-want-to-curl-up-and-read atmosphere.
Allure, magazine, Borax crystals, 11x12x3.5
These are all just excuses. I am now adding an item to my to-do list: READ. Not blogs, not social media. A real live, smells like musty paper book. I will do it! Soon.
Want to see more of Alexi Arnold’s work? Check out her website. Anyone else suffering from book withdrawal?
John Bunker
August 6, 2013 at 5:30 PMReading from a physical book remains a joy, the typesetting, the design of the page, and the sensual texture and uniqueness of diverse books remains a pleasure.
However, like you, it is more and more difficult to devote to the traditional form of reading.
We’re too bombarded with electronic media from all our sources. But so it goes.
Lesley
August 7, 2013 at 12:29 PMIsn’t it interesting how with all this time saving technology, there seems to be less and less time for simple pleasures like reading a book? Thanks for sharing your take, John!