Swap, Drop and Roll

BACKGROUND The divergences between the evolving forms of the book and the places we build to house them, as described by Derrida (2005), has resulted in an increase in the intentional destruction of paper books. Studies such as those by Báez (2004) and Baker (2002) invite urgent attention to these biblioclasms. In the age of mass digitization of the book, what is the role of the library, and how are social, political and economic concerns entangled within these shifting dynamics? CONTRIBUTION While the medium and mode of transmission of the book have become increasingly machine-dependent, "Swap, Drop and Roll" tests the integrity of the idea of the book and attempts to make visible social, political and economic factors that are inextricably linked to, but situated outside of, the book as cultural object. "Swap, Drop and Roll" is presented as an itinerant participatory installation in which the public is invited to exchange deaccessioned books. Each participant can shape the archive-adding, removing and rearranging the books using the bespoke tools (stamping pads and bookmarks) and furniture provided. "Swap Drop and Roll" offers the potential for shaping the reconfiguration of the book and its archive, not through some alteration of its medium or mode of inscription, but through those who hold the idea of the book in common. SIGNIFICANCE "Swap, Drop and Roll" was an eight-week public installation held in PICA, WA, 2012, under the direction of Leigh Robb. The project engaged Industry partnership through the State Library of WA who provided the discarded books. Significance is further evidenced by its inclusion in the recent publication "Come Together: The Rise of Cooperative Art and Design" (Princeton Architectural Press, 2015).