Yebwiersma - Storyville Library

Image Above: Front View Bookcase. Back Bookcase contains light box print - plus display shelf for Storyville Publication - Design Publication: Karen Willey + Design Bookcase: Rutger Emmelkamp

For the new main library building of the city of Almere - interior design by Thonik - I was asked to create a permanent art piece. My contribution to the reading citizens of this city was an additional book section called: STORYVILLE LIBRARY. This Storyville section exists of 20 volumes (American novels and short stories), which can be borrowed by the library members. It’s a personal bookcase in a public library.

During my adolescence age I spent endless hours in the library. At the English literature section. Reading through- and escaping my puberty. Longing for far away lives and destinations. The newly built library and freshly constructed suburban city of Almere – with lots of open territories and room for roaming - reminded me strongly of the American way of life captured by writers like Raymond Carver or John Fante. I wanted to celebrate the idea of the ‘makeable new land’ by donating my favourite American stories and novels; the ones I enjoyed reading myself.  

1. Line by American poet Emily Dickinson.

The Publication contains full color photo pages - black and white text pages - colored mimeographed typeface pages. For More Images

2. Photograph taken during Workshop STORYVILLE [2008] at SITE 2F7:
Wasteland Area located right next to The New Library of Almere.

Some titles from the Storyville Book Collection. The New Library, Almere [NL]