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Lost then Bound: Reclaiming Memorywork Bookbinding Workshop

Lost then Bound: Reclaiming Memorywork Bookbinding Workshop

$42.00
$42.00
Sale Sold out
Workshop Ticket Variants
About the workshop:
The rites and practice of memory are extremely important for configuring our senses of emplacement, community, and belonging, but many of these practices have been lost or systematically devalued by a linear and objectified understand of time and being, in which memories that do not accord with “official history” or which are not practiced by way of institutionalized record keeping, archives, or historical practices, do not seem to be “real” at all. The 60’s onwards has seen a lot of advocacy in the US around the inclusion / recognition of marginalized histories and people by institutions of memorykeeping—but it’s clearer than ever that these institutions are falling apart—and that the fight for inclusion is endless and infinitely exhausting, because an institution will always have margins, and something will always fall out of its vision and protection. Before, memory-keeping was a femme, private practice: Stories were kept in weavings, in quilts, in song, passed down from mother to daughter--how can books, such an institutionally-appropriated medium, be restored to a feminist, domestic practice of paper-quilting? 

This workshop will teach bookbinding as a technology of memory, of exercising sovereignty over our own records, stories, and memories, and a way to honor our personal memories and intimate archives. Unverified accounts and intimate archives are where the world is happening—in annotations in the margins of our books, hastily scribbled notes on random sticky notes and scratch paper. How can we preserve, honor, steward these tender archives? How can we tend to the histories that public institutions do not guard for us? 

About the Instructor:

Kelsey Chen (she/her) an artist and scholar residing in Ohlone land working across sensory media to make spaces of ritual and renewal. Her practices span inkwork, sculpture, painting, tea, weaving, and performance to create contact zones between old practices and new forms. Her work has been shown at et al gallery, the Stanford Coulter Art Gallery, & more. Her scholarly work with Stanford University’s Modern Thought & Literature PhD program focuses on the Asian American speculative as a strategy of unearthing collective memories and experiencing deep time--a diasporic technique of emplacement, ecological ethics, and land-consciousness.

What you can expect:
Participants will arrive with their own ephemera—love letters, notes, grocery lists, napkins, pictures, etc.—an intimate archive of their community and their self—and, alongside provided materials, will learn three basic bookbinding techniques, several bookbinding stitches, and bring home a bookbinding kit.

Don't worry if you don't have any existing ephemera to work with--there will be extra found materials (magazines, papers, etc.) and extra blank paper if you'd like to make both books with provided materials.

There will also be a future opportunity to exhibit what develops from this workshop in a group exhibition. 

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 
Time: 6:30 - 9:30PM, doors will open at 6:30PM
Location: Land to Sea Cafe | 402 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Ticket Options: you have the option to select a ticket that includes access to tools for this workshop ($42) or a ticket that includes purchasing the toolkit for you to take home and continue your practice beyond this workshop ($64)
  • $42: entry + workshop with access to tools during workshop only
    • take home 2 books, 1 using ephemera and 1 using provided paper 
  • $64: entry + workshop with purchasing of tools to take home
    • take home a tool set and 2 books, 1 using ephemera and 1 using provided paper 
    Tickets will be limited and non-refundable. Tickets may be available at the door, pending availability and capacity.

    Drinks from Land to Sea cafe and wine menu will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

    For any questions related to this event please email events@landtoseanyc.com

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    Upon purchase of these tickets, you are acknowledging the below:

    You understand that we have a zero-tolerance policy for unacceptable behavior that will make other attendees uncomfortable (harassment, unwelcome advances, inappropriate language, discrimination, etc) and will result in your removal from the premises. This event is a safe and welcoming space.

    You may appear in recordings or images on our social media + online platforms.

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    Accessibility Information:

    Entrance: Land to Sea is located on the ground floor and is an ADA Compliant space. The front entrance has one step, with wheelchair ramp available. There are no steps beyond the entrance to our space. The width of the front door entrance is 35" wide including the doorway. We do not have an automatic door. If you need to access our space using a ramp, please reach out to events@landtoseanyc.com in advance of the event date. 

    Cafe Space: The cafe counter leads to an open-floor, most often occupied with cafe seating. Seating will be available during the event. The narrowest area is 6’5” and the widest area is 14’2” Access to our back room is available through a doorway ramp (no stairs) that is 35.5” wide. The bathroom is accessible from the back room. 

    The cafe serves vegan and non-vegan snacks, teas, coffee and wine (subject to availability). Snacks cannot be guaranteed to be nut-free. We have paper cups and napkins.

    Air conditioning and electric fans are available in the space.

    Bathroom: There is one bathroom, which is 6 ft x 4ft. The door is 35" wide. It is not automatic. The sink is 33.5" high.

    Counters: The main counter where the register is and drinks are served is 42" high.

    COVID-19 Safety: Masks are available upon request

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