dalreen ramos dalreen. ramos@ mid- day. com The popular kindergarten quote u201c sharing is caringu201d disappears from your vocabulary once capitalism hits you as an adult. The emphasis here is on ownership. So, when you spot a pretty or popular book that you know you wonu2019t complete, you buy it anyway. It is this consumerist idea that got American artist Cameron Granger to conceive of u201c A library, for you,u201d in March last year. It began with the simple idea of a community lending library, but with a twist: it had to travel to places and at the same time, start with original, personal narratives.
Last Saturday, the 26- year- old travelled to Mumbai to set up his project at Colabau2019s Ikattha Space.
Back in Columbus, Ohio, where Granger is based, he first reached out to artist friends, whose works he loved, to embark on a collaboration.
He requested them to create books for the library with no rules or restrictions imposed.
The lone requirement was that they had to be in the printed form. The collaborators were paid through the money he raised via crowdfunding and fundraising. So, 16 books were created, with 10 copies of each made. And to procure one from the collection, people are free to bring any book they like and exchange it. u201c The books span a vast range of subjects: from identity to upbringing and how the world has influenced had an influence. Two of the authors, who are a couple, even made a cookbook with recipes they make together. Thereu2019s also a title that is filled with jokes,u201d Granger says, adding that the project also challenges the very definition of what constitutes a book u2014 u201c We also have apologies that have been printed and stuffed in an envelope.u201d Having met Ikattha founder Illesha Khandelwal at a residency in Denmark, Grangeru2019s Colaba stay also came about through a grant he received from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. u201c It was my plane ticket. The idea of a collective in Mumbai appealed to me and the library has been well- received here,u201d he shares.
In fact, during the opening, somebody made a book from scratch for swapping. But even if you donu2019t wish to part with your books, you could sit and browse through the collection at ease. Granger says, u201c I hope people get to hear someoneu2019s story that perhaps makes them laugh or smile in a way they never have.u201d TILL February 14 AT Doulatram Mansion, Sassoon Docks Road, Colaba.
Email collective@ ikattha. space Artist Cameron Granger brings his community library project from Ohio to Mumbai where you get to swap books of all genres Words worth sharing ( Above and below) American artist Cameron Granger got 16 artists to create books for this project books Also check out SwapBook! Launched in 2011, this is a pan- India, free book sharing community that operates via a Facebook group where readers can not only exchange books but also interact with fellow bookworms at offline events.
LOG ON facebook. com/ groups/ swapbookofficial Book Exchange Club of Mumbai This initiative encourages book lovers to meet up under one roof in Mumbai, swap books and discuss them. It currently has over 2,000 members.
LOG ON meetup. com/ BOOKEXCHANGE- CLUB- OF- MUMBAI Lu2019Amour Books Originally, a lending library housed inside a van, Lu2019amour has transitioned into a permanent space nestled in the Hiranandani Complex. If you donu2019t wish to become a member, you can also sell your books and browse for secondhand copies starting at R 99.
AT Heera Panna Commercial Complex, ground floor, Powai.
CALL 9833779592 Cameron Granger
