Christopher McAfee
Springville, Utah

Christopher McAfee is a full-time book and paper conservator and a part-time book artist. Christopher received a BFA in printmaking in 1993 from Brigham Young University where he also began learning to bind books. In 1995, he received an MFA in bookbinding from the University of Alabama. He has since worked for both Brigham Young University and the LDS Church History Library as a conservator. He has also taught various book arts classes at both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. When he can find the time, he spends time with binding and artists books in the tiny studio of his home.

Website: amazingchristophoro.com

Infinities, 2012

The idea that "infinity" can be mathematically defined in different ways intrigues me. As a child I understood that infinity was the largest existing number, but as a man I know that some infinities are larger than others. If two mirrors face each other, a visual infinity is created but is larger or smaller depending on the size of the mirrors used. Knowing this changes the position of infinity's horizon, or rather exposes the reality that there are many horizons for various infinities. In contemplating this concept, I realized the book is the perfect format for conveying it. By placing mirrors on opposing pages, I could create infinity that exists when the book is closed and disappears when the book is opened. This is consistent with the idea that the human mind can't completely grasp the nature of infinity. As I considered creating the book, the idea of presenting these ideas on a chalkboard seemed appropriate.

Dimensions: 6.75 x 6.75 x 1.5 inches; 17 x 17 x 4 centimeters

Paper, acrylic paint, chalk, mirrors.