Content to Context Artist's Book by Karen Wirth
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
“Content to Context recreates the word game that plays out on the panels of the sculptural staircase at Open Book in Minneapolis. Named after the long-time patron Gail See, the staircase was codesigned by artist Karen Wirth and architects Garth Rockcastle and Kate Bergquist of MSR Design. The word game was invented and the panels fabricated by Karen Wirth. The text on the Lumasite translucent panels is handwritten in graphite, with a poly fixative. It is read primarily on the stair landing.
This book was made in honor of the 25-year anniversary of Open Book, established in 2000. The building comprises The Loft Literary Center, Milkweed Editions, and Minnesota Center for Book Arts. The staircase is both a physical and metaphorical connector among these three books related to non-profits.
Content to Context was also written in graphite with the best handwriting Karen could muster, and Imagepress printed on Neenah Classic Linen Solar White acid-free paper. The covers are Xante film. The digital font is Avenir Next. The book is a hand sewn, two-signature pamphlet stitched structure. Photographs by Rik Sferra.” - Karen Wirth
11” x 4.25”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
“Content to Context recreates the word game that plays out on the panels of the sculptural staircase at Open Book in Minneapolis. Named after the long-time patron Gail See, the staircase was codesigned by artist Karen Wirth and architects Garth Rockcastle and Kate Bergquist of MSR Design. The word game was invented and the panels fabricated by Karen Wirth. The text on the Lumasite translucent panels is handwritten in graphite, with a poly fixative. It is read primarily on the stair landing.
This book was made in honor of the 25-year anniversary of Open Book, established in 2000. The building comprises The Loft Literary Center, Milkweed Editions, and Minnesota Center for Book Arts. The staircase is both a physical and metaphorical connector among these three books related to non-profits.
Content to Context was also written in graphite with the best handwriting Karen could muster, and Imagepress printed on Neenah Classic Linen Solar White acid-free paper. The covers are Xante film. The digital font is Avenir Next. The book is a hand sewn, two-signature pamphlet stitched structure. Photographs by Rik Sferra.” - Karen Wirth
11” x 4.25”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
“Content to Context recreates the word game that plays out on the panels of the sculptural staircase at Open Book in Minneapolis. Named after the long-time patron Gail See, the staircase was codesigned by artist Karen Wirth and architects Garth Rockcastle and Kate Bergquist of MSR Design. The word game was invented and the panels fabricated by Karen Wirth. The text on the Lumasite translucent panels is handwritten in graphite, with a poly fixative. It is read primarily on the stair landing.
This book was made in honor of the 25-year anniversary of Open Book, established in 2000. The building comprises The Loft Literary Center, Milkweed Editions, and Minnesota Center for Book Arts. The staircase is both a physical and metaphorical connector among these three books related to non-profits.
Content to Context was also written in graphite with the best handwriting Karen could muster, and Imagepress printed on Neenah Classic Linen Solar White acid-free paper. The covers are Xante film. The digital font is Avenir Next. The book is a hand sewn, two-signature pamphlet stitched structure. Photographs by Rik Sferra.” - Karen Wirth
11” x 4.25”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
Karen Wirth (she/her) is an artist and educator whose artwork ranges from books and sculpture to architecture. She co-designed the sculptural staircase at Open Book and four blue line light rail stations, all in Minneapolis. Her books include offset editions, one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces, and room-sized installations. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and is in many collections, including the Museum of Modern Art Library, The Walker Art Center, the Getty Center, and Yale University. She is a 2024 McKnight Fellow in Book Arts.
