dilettante, n. - one who interests himself in an art or science merely as a pastime and without serious aim or study
If you read this blog, my guess is that you are either a serious craftsperson, or an enthusiastic hobbyist. You probably frequent DIY craft sites like Etsy, Craftster, or Make. Like me, you have probably found examples of ingenious projects as well as a fair share of handmade abominations (I’m backed up by Regretsy on this). But when do amateur attempts at professional activity cross the line?
I ask, because recently a project on the Instructables website really set me off. I had to really examine it to make sure it was not a tongue-in-cheek parody, but I believe it to be a genuine attempt at repairing a book that has detached from its binding. Each step was more horrific than the next (wait til the last step - you’ll lose your mind), and resulted in an irreversible destruction of a book that could have easily been rehabilitated.
It was not a valuable book. I am not completely opposed to modifying books (i.e. artist’s books, book sculpture, books into purses) as long as some attention is paid to the value (dollar and intrinsic) and scarcity of the item. And I feel a little hypocritical in my horror, since I have tried to teach myself to do a number of things that stand firmly in the territory of professionals. Perhaps it was the fact that this set of instructions was featured on the Instructables home page. Perhaps it was something about the tone of the author, or his lack of research into the basic fundamentals of bookbinding.
The book as a piece of technology is deceptively complex. It is such a ubiquitous object in our modern lives that people take this complexity for granted. I think this has resulted in two trends - a severe decrease in the quality of mass-produced bindings, and an under-appreciation for the skill of the hand-bookbinder. So many times I have heard the words, “can’t you just fix this with a little Elmer’s down the spine?” or “I thought I could just tape it back together.” I never hear people tell their auto mechanic, “I’m sure you could fix that belt with a little duct tape,” unless it’s someone working on my ancient VW camper.
What do you think of current attitudes and trends in the DIY universe? If you’re a professional, how do you handle enthusiastic but totally wrong-headed amateurism? Are you a rabid ambassador of your craft, educating anyone who will sit still long enough to hear out your elevator pitch? Post your thoughts in the comments.
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Interesting thread of comments following the “instructable” post, too (ahem) - I was surprised to see the original author offer up his instructions as something to be corrected in the future.
I think humans, by their nature, are tinkerers. Broken things demand to be fixed, and people will try to fix them by the means and knowledge available. Key point there - “knowledge available.” It seems like some of the opportunities to learn about the proper care and repair of books are out there (as you indicated), as are professionals who can do it correctly, so the proliferation of this kind of information is, ultimately, damaging.
Unfortunately, if you read some of the other posts in the comments section, you see folks saying: “Great job!” “Looks awesome!” and the like. This, indeed, is bad. I hope commenters read your post too - which includes helpful _information_. Which, in our wonderous age, is readily available.
The book is a complex technology, unlike a Volkswagen: “unless it’s someone working on my ancient VW camper.” Priceless.
Thank you VERY much for this post. I fully agree. In Germany we have one more trouble point: Anything must be cheep - with the exeption of car repairs and haircuts. And no one will pay for book repair. We all - profs and amateurs - should never end explaining and doing correct bookbinding work.
There was a book published a few years ago called “Cult of the Amateur,” which sums up my feelings in its title. It’s focused on Web 2.0 technology (and I don’t necessarily agree with Keen’s opinions entirely in this arena), but I wish he would write it again with a focus on craftsmanship, music and the arts instead.
Another side of this rant has to do with people giving up on a skill after a paltry first attempt. This used to happen to me all the time when I taught ceramics. “I can’t do it. I can’t center. I have no talent.” Folks don’t seem willing to invest the time it takes (what does Malcolm Gladwell say, 10,000 hours?) to become OK at something, much less master that skill. I guess one’s personality determines whether you give up at that point, or display your crummy first attempts as solid gold.
That was scary. I am left speechless.
I’m an amateur myself…self-taught bookbinder. But I know my limits. And I cannot fathom the mind that would take a lovely illustrated case like that and…and…destroy it so. Gives me the horrors.