Artist Ari Wolff and The 14th Street Y are thrilled to announce the debut of Citation Needed, an experimental publishing initiative designed to support and distribute artist books made by young people. Joined by the authors and open to the public, the book launch will be May 25th, 5:00–6:30 pm, on the rooftop of the 14th Street Y. The evening will feature 10+ original titles created by 3rd–5th graders, authors meet-and-greet, and interactive games.
The Citation Needed book launch is the culmination of a year-long collaboration between Ari Wolff and the 14th Street Y, in partnership with Social Practice CUNY and Printed Matter / St Marks. Copies of students’ artist books will be on display and available for purchase at Printed Matter / St Marks. A set of the books will also have a permanent home in the Artist Book Collection at the Center for Book Arts, as the first works by children to be added to the collection.
“The most incredible part of this process has been watching our workspace come together; we started with three students, now we are at thirteen,” said Ari Wolff. “They’ve taught each other how to use the typewriters and copier and how to problem solve when they get stuck. I feel really lucky to be included in this creative process.”
This project was incubated as an after school workspace, in which young people were invited to experiment with visual poetry, xerography, typewriting, and book arts. Embracing a process of chance, many of the works created in this class were inspired through accidents. After many months of creation, editing, printing, and binding, the authors and illustrators are excited to share their work. These artist books are an opportunity to honor young people’s inner worlds, autonomy, and ability to create meaningful work that challenges oppressive systems, demands of coherence, and the status quo.
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About Ari Wolff
Ari Wolff is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and educator whose practice explores language as a visual object. Ari’s work proposes alternate modes of reading and seeing through mark-making, xerography, sculpture, text, and book arts. For the last decade, Ari has worked with schools and community-based organizations to create process-based projects that meet at the intersection of art and literacy. Ari’s work has appeared at Longwood Gallery, Plaxall Gallery, Collar Works, the Foundry, and in POETRY Magazine, among other places. Ari holds an MFA in Studio Art and Social Practice program from Queens College.
About The 14th Street Y
The 14th Street Y is a vibrant community center grounded in the belief that contemporary Jewish sensibilities can be a source of inspiration, connection, and learning for the individuals and families we serve throughout New York City’s East Village and beyond. With a health and wellness center, childhood, parenting and adult education and enrichment programs, and an innovative arts and culture department, the 14Y is committed to the development of the whole person and bettering people’s lives by strengthening family connections and building inclusive and sustainable communities. The 14Y is part of Educational Alliance’s network of community centers in Lower Manhattan. We believe strong communities can transform lives. Our programs turn strangers into neighbors and provide New Yorkers access to quality education, health and wellness services, arts and culture, and civic engagement opportunities. Learn more at 14StreetY.org.
About Printed Matter / St Marks
Printed Matter is a non-profit dedicated to artist books. Printed Matter / St Marks, their East Village bookstore, focuses on books and programming that celebrate the history of avant garde art and countercultural publications in Lower Manhattan. They host a lively schedule of public events including book launches, readings, panel discussions, performances and bookbinding workshops.
