Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Books As Art

Since I've lived on my own, I've always seemed to have more books than any other possessions. My chief decorative concern has never been "where do I hang my pictures because I have so many of them," but "where do I hang my pictures because the books have taken all my wall space"! But even though I've tried to hang things tastefully around my bookshelves, I have also sought to order my bookshelves—and the books on them—in a tasteful manner. While I'm not anal enough to have my books in alphabetical order according to author, I do strive to keep them arranged according to subject. And always, always take special care with how the top shelf looks! Using books themselves as bookends has always been a favorite decorating tool for me. I'm sure it began with a lack of money to buy real bookends, but it has certainly developed into intentional decor. And let's not forget the strategically placed volumes stacked neatly in front of the over-crowded shelves. One must have some double-stacked shelves as a sign of being a dedicated bibliophile.

All that to say, I love strategically placed books. I like to look at them. I like the way they look. So one would ask, "can books be art"? And my reply would be, "absolutely, why not"! For those who share my "why not" enthusiasm, boy howdy, do I have something fun for you....
Floating Bookshelf

A friend told me about them a couple of days ago and I have since bought 5. I love them! Books as art! No wood inhibiting! Suspended magically upon a wall—a wonderful incarnation of the very mysteries they hold within their pages! Finally, an enabling device that makes art out of books by merging the practical with the aesthetically intriguing!

1 comment:

Inkling said...

Where, oh where did you find those floating bookshelves? And please, by all means, tell my little brother so he can buy his beloved sister some for the next momentous holiday or something. Okay, so a man about to be a daddy again doesn't have to spend his hard-earned money on his sister, but please tell me where to find those.

As for books as decorative art, I completely agree. A friend of mine goes crazy just sitting next to my living room bookshelf, for the books are not organized according to height. Instead, they are arranged according to subject/author. For instance, the Inklings get their own shelves. And if I know one author inspired another, well those guys get to have a shelf together too. It's my quirky way of treating my books like beloved family members. And of course, you know that family members like to sit next to certain other members during family dinners and the like. It's a natural progression to think that books must be like that too. =)

Okay, being quiet now. Just wanted you to know that I liked your books as art.