Tunnel Visions:What Will Your Tunnel Book

Reveal?Mrs. Laprocina

Commercial Design

What is a Tunnel Book?

Tunnel books are handmade books which are three dimensional,

usually narrative in nature, and provide a viewing experience that is similar to a diorama or like looking

through a window or telescope. Tunnel books invite the viewer in for

a closer look.

•Tunnel books, were known as “peep-show” books in the 19th century• •Used initially for promotional purposes, or as three dimensional souvenirs to document the opening of important places and historical events, like the opening of the Thames Tunnel in 1851.

•Tunnel books have become a popular structure for making illustrated children’s books and puppet theaters.

•This bookmaking structure has become popular with artists.

Simple two panel tunnel book

How does the Title of this book relate to it’s structure?

How do these book covers work to unify this piece?

Why can this book be categorized as a narrative?

How did this artist fuse form and function in order to create

a cohesive book?

The frame opening of a tunnel book sets the tone or visual experience

of the viewer.

How do you see the world?

What sort of experience do you think this artist wanted to create for their viewer?

And this one?

How does the frame work in this piece?

What will your book say? How will you say it?