Book Arts

What is an artists' book?

“An artist’s book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the structure or function of “book” as inspiration—a work of art in book form. Although artists have illustrated the words of others for centuries, the book as art object is relatively recent” (Smithsonian)

“There is a crucial difference between presenting an artist's work in a book form…and an artist making a book.” (Richard Kostelanetz)

Features of an artists' book

• Entirely or mostly handmade
• Very labor-intensive, thus expensive to purchase
• Made in limited quantities
• Typically use mixed-media 
• Provide opportunity for viewers to experience art in an interactive way 
• May be a specific reaction against something culturally established, either in the art world or not 
  • When on social issues, it is usually something the artist is closely connected to, and therefore knowledgeable about

While reading...

• “Reading” an artist’s book is closer to looking at art object in a museum or reading a poem than reading an actual book
  • Often don’t have to read the ‘pages’ in order
  • Artists make intentional choices when constructing
  • Think about how they use: 
    • Color
    • Font
    • Blank spaces
    • Materials, both inside and out
    • Size
  • Look up terms or concepts you aren’t familiar with
  • It is common for an artist to make allusions to something else—they may assume the viewer/reader knows a bit about the topic already

Questions to consider as you examine the books:

• What are you observing?
• What makes this a book?
• What makes this art?

Notes to take:

• Title, author, contributors
• How do they use: 
  • Color
  • Font
  • Blank spaces
  • Materials, both inside and out
  • Size
• How does the book relate to a topic?
• Look up terms or concepts you aren’t familiar with