Course Information

‘A souvenir (French for 'a remembrance or memory'), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it.’ ‘ Something you keep or give to remember a special visit or event’ Souvenirs can be anything that can be collected or bought and taken home as a reminder of where you have visited. The object itself does not need to be valuable but it is imbued with the memory of the experience. Various book structures have been used within the tourist industry as souvenirs since the 19th century and the most popular were Tunnel Books and Carousels, inspired by theatre set design. This course will look at ways to develop a book work as 'souvenir', focusing on the memory of place. The landscape around Bridge House Art with its mountains and valleys, rivers and beaches, stones and shells and ever changing skies will all be observed through initial drawings. Back in the studio, the research material will be the inspiration to develop a multi layered book or books through drawing, cutting, lo-fi printmaking and collage as a personal souvenir of the week. Students will develop an individual response to their surroundings while developing strong technical skills and each will have a unique keepsake to take home by the end of the week. The work of artist Carol Barton, Andrew Morrison, Emily Martin and Jane Hyslop will be looked as part of the course.