Box of Happiness by Alice Austin
The construction is reminiscent of the children's toy (called a buzzer or buzz saw) in which twine or cord passes through something like a button, so that the suspended button can be picked up by the tails of twine on each side. If you hold the ends of the twine and toss the button in a circular motion, you twist the twine that can then be pulled taunt, and the button spins. Here Austin has substituted a ball of happiness – with pages that read "eat more pie," "travel far," "sleep late," "read a map," "buy shoes," "drink coffee,"throw a party." This Western version of the prayer wheel, Austin's ball is a happy spin of colors and words.
"Normally when you pick up a book to add to your library you are concerned with what it contains, but sometimes all that matters is what it looks like." - Jenna Krajeski, Alice Austin's Library, New Yorker Book Notes
Processes, Dimensions, and Edition Information
Philadelphia: Alice Austin, 2009. Edition of 40.
3.25 x 3.25 x 3.25" circular construction. Handset metal type and linoleum cuts printed on a Vandercook press. Paper – 50/50 from abaca/cotton and shredded money – handmade by Michele Wilson for the artist. Housed in lidded 3.5 x 3.25 x 3.25" lightweight paper box, which may be in one of three colors: blue, green or brown.