Library celebrates creative bookmaking and makers with two new exhibitions at Beinecke

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, two new exhibitions open simultaneously at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The handmade books featured in “Textured Stories: The Chirimen Books of Modern Japan” and “Unfolding Events: Exploring Past and Present in Artists’ Books” span centuries, cultures, materials, and artistic practice. Together, these exhibitions highlight the scope and variety of the treasures in Yale Library’s extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts.

“Textured Stories” is a display of 70 chirimen-bon—a type of Japanese illustrated crêpe-paper book produced between the 1880s and the 1950s, during a critical time in the country’s history. These handcrafted books draw on traditional cultural narratives—fairy tales, folklore, holidays, festivals, performing arts, and scenes from everyday life—in response to a changing national identity. This exhibition introduces the history of chirimen-bon books, their novel forms, and the stories they tell. “Textured Stories” is on view through May 3.

“Unfolding Events” presents more than 30 artists’ books produced by American and international artists working with unconventional materials, processes, and ideas. Harnessing the power of the book, these artists share past experiences, challenge assumed truths, and envision new futures. These inventive works include a variety of surprising elements and formats: embroidered fabric pages, landscape photography, maps, letters, and elaborate folding and foldouts. “Unfolding Events” is on view through March 1.

There will be a joint opening reception for both exhibitions on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m. at Beinecke Library.

—Deborah Cannarella