Welcome to GIBBIN HOUSE!




When I first started this blog about the misadventures of a nascent author, I had only a small novel under my belt, titled Gibbin House. The building that bears the name is a fictitious postwar era safe-house, as many might have existed, and the London home of my motley crew of exiles. I could not anticipate then the degree to which I would join its ranks of writers and artists, but since publishing my book in 2011, I have had the greatest privilege of opening my own art gallery and of exploring my love of the written word through visual poetry and paper sculptures. Yet much like the girl who first started blogging two years ago, I suspect I don't know what I'm doing half the time. As such, Gibbin House remains a refuge for ramblings...and on occasion a haven for little triumphs.



Monday, November 14, 2011

"Off the Page - an Anatomic Look at the Creation of a Novel" by Carola Perla

Gibbin House Inspires an Orignial Art Installation

Off the Page by Carola Perla
In honor of my first public book reading, I decided to offer my own original art work to ATELIER 1022's LITERA event in Wynwood this past Saturday.  My idea for the art installation  - "Off the Page - an Anatomic Look at the Creation of a Novel" - began as the lattice-like cutting of the last page of Gibbin House, but evolved to include everything that went into writing the book: the dozens of handwritten notebooks, collected clippings, books, postcards, storyboards, etc.  I even included the 3-D stereocard the cover is based on, my earliest floppy disks, boardpass to Europe, encouraging gifts from friends, and the Grigorescu painting my mother did at 19, which inspired my main character.   To my great joy (and edification) the piece was really well received, and will remain on display through Art Basel Miami 2011.  Mama is so proud!


Off the Page - art installation by Carola Perla

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Carola Perla's Gibbin House Participates in ATELIER 1022's LITERA

ATELIER 1022
ArtVergnügen! the pleasure of art ...

ATELIER 1022 Presents “LITERĂ”
 An Evening of Book Launches, Readings, and Art to Celebrate
 Miami’s Independent Literature Scene and First-time Authors



            Miami Beach, October 20, 2011 – ATELIER 1022 Studio and Fine Art Gallery in the Wynwood Art District announces the one-night-only special book launch event “LITERĂ”  on November 12, 2011 – an evening dedicated to Miami’s up-and-coming independent and first-time authors, with a program of readings, book signings, and art installations inspired by the written word.  Headlining the event is Resident Artist and ATELIER 1022 Partner Ellie Perla, who will introduce her highly anticipated children’s books, ALTAVARANIA and PAPOOK.  Her original illustrations for these books will also be on special display.  Ellie Perla’s elaborate and enchanting pencil drawings have served as an iconic feature of the ATELIER 1022 Gallery since its inception.   LITERĂ will also see the book launch of David Rolland’s debut novel DEADBEAT – a noir thriller set against the sultry backdrop of South Florida.  In addition, author Carola Perla will unveil ‘Off the Page’, a new art installation inspired by her historic novel GIBBIN HOUSE, which debuted at the gallery in May 2011. Presentations will begin at 8PM, to be followed by signings and a complimentary wine reception.  ATELIER 1022 will be open to the public on November 12th, 2011, for the Wynwood Art Walk, from 6-11 PM.  

“As both a novelist and gallery owner, I am thrilled to bring a multi-media event like LITERĂ to ATELIER 1022, particularly on the eve of the upcoming 2011 Miami Book Fair International.  From the onset, ATELIER 1022’s resident artists and partners have aimed to create not just a visual art studio and gallery, but to build a community space that supports grass-roots efforts in every artistic field.  We are extremely proud to be able to provide first-time authors a forum in which to present their extraordinary work, and intend on continuing this tradition far into the future with self-published book launches, independent film screenings, and local music acts,” says Gallerist Carola Perla.


ALTAVARANIA by Ellie Perla

Three unusual friends journey to distant lands to find the seven fairies who once gave the ancient gardens of Altavarania their magic powers.  This story of adventure and discovery takes Leelas, Sun and Thunder in serach of love, trust, joy, integrity, peace, hope and courage.  They will need these gifts to plant a new Altavarania in the land of Noaptea and save its people from perpetual poverty and war.



PAPOOK by Ellie Perla

Papook, the palace tea boy, has a troublesome habit of wandering off and hiding in all the wrong places.  When a bad turn finds him in the balcony of the courtroom, pretending to advise the king as the ‘Spirit of the Law’, his problems really start.  Luckily Old Ayo is always nearby to help with a wise solution.  But when the king’s palace is in real danger, will Papook’s audacious behavior turn out to be a burden or a blessing?  

Ellie Perla, on writing children’s books as an artist: “The driving force behind my art is my love for beauty, cultural awareness, and harmony.  My books are a natural extension of this philosophy.  Intended to be experienced with a parent, they teach a very young generation of readers life-altering values and a non-violent way of life.”

Elinor E. Perla lives and works in Miami, Florida.  Ellie is the author and illustrator of several children’s books.  She is also an artist in residence at ATELIER 1022 in Miami’s Wynwood Art District, and an avid photographer.


GIBBIN HOUSE by Carola Perla
Summer 1949 – in London’s Hampstead Heath, four embittered European intellectuals still occupy their former safehouse.  But the mysterious arrival of the damaged refugee, Anka Pietraru, shakes them out of their stupor and challenges them to reclaim an unlived life.  A story of exile, artistic kinship, motherly love, and the path to finding one’s own voice.

Carola Perla, on writing as an immigrant to Miami: Transience leaves a special sort of mark in terms of language.  Not being able to communicate for months at a time with people around you, being dismissed.  And even when you begin to speak, you suffer the sensation of never quite being able to express everything.  I’m always in awe at immigrant-rich Miami, because it is a place overflowing with lives, thoughts, and feelings unshared.”

Carola Perla is a Miami-based author, gallery owner, and PR specialist.  Born in Romania, she has lived in Munich and Lima, and holds degrees in German Literature and Art History from Florida State University. ‘Gibbin House’ is her first novel.  

DEADBEAT by David Rolland
A noir thriller chronicling the adventures of Frank Bengling, Miami private investigator. He had his scuba diving, his business, and his margaritas. But then beautiful Maria Novella hires him for a case. She wants Frank to find the father of her child. After a long chase the past catches up with Frank Bengling.  

INVITE: On the Eve of the Miami Book Fair International, My First Reading of GIBBIN HOUSE!!