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Librarian
Opening!
PAABA extends its appreciation for the hard work of Ed and Carol Christianson
they provided to our organization as librarians. Their work has helped increase
our fine collection. Ed and Carol will be missed; they are moving to Florida! We
are looking for someone to take over the library. Ed and Carol will be happy to
show you "how"! This is a great opportunity to learn about blacksmithing, make
many new friends and learn about PAABA. Let us know if you are interested. You
only need to attend 4-5 meetings with the library - not all meetings need the
library present. Think about it! Call any officer for information, we look
forward to hearing form you!
Please Contact an Officer if you have any questions about books in the meantime.
NEW Feature! PAABA Library Contents Move ONLINE!
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Book Reviews by Ed Christianson
Ironwork Today, Inside & Out by Dona Z. Meilach.
In early 2004, a call went out from anvilfire.com and ABANA’s Anvil’s Ring for examples of contemporary blacksmiths' work for this book. More than 250 artists submitted 3000 plus photographs, resulting in 482 photographs. The author begins by describing the rise of the artist blacksmith movement in this country, accompanied by examples of traditional, sculptural and whimsical public art installations. Next, there are several examples of large scale projects accomplished over a period of many years. One smith quit his shop of 26 years to work full time for a new winery/resort in California. There are examples of railings and grills, fences, gates & doors, garden sculptures, furniture, fireplace screens, lighting fixtures, door decorations and numerous art objects such as Damascus knives, boxes, vases, containers and bowls.
The photographs of each piece will grab your attention as they clearly highlight the skill and imagination of the artist. A number of the artists should be familiar names because they have demonstrated at PAABA, Quad State (SOFA) and ABANA events. Although there is little explanation of techniques, the photographs alone will supply plenty of inspiration and incentive to head to the shop and create that masterpiece.
Knights In Shining Armor-Myth and Reality 1450-1650 by Ida Sinkevic. The following description is taken from the liner notes:
This book was generously donated to PAABA Library by Judy Berger of Blue Moon Press.
"Knights in Shining Armor is a scholarly significant, popularly written and beautifully illustrated exploration of the multiple roles of arms and armor in the Renaissance and Baroque societies. Arms and armor are examined as technological achievements, symbols of fascination and nostalgia for the chivalric ideals of the bygone medieval era, as a means of understanding changes in moral and ethical views of human combat, and as an important source for gauging concepts of gender and class at the time.
Ida Sinkevic looks at armor as an icon of popular culture, the image maker that defines the identity of both an individual and a group, and explores social and historical reasons for its fame. "
"Lavishly illustrated with over 100 photographs, the book displays major works of many famous artists as well as examples of suits of armor, helmets, shields, and edged weapons such as swords and rapiers. "
The book was published to coincide with the exhibition at the Allentown Art Museum, curated by Ida Sinkevic.
