Rethinking the Book: A Sculptural Investigation in the Book Arts
“What is unique about artists’ books is that with very few exceptions they really did not exist in their current form before the 20th century. However, a single definition of the term “artist’s book” continues to be highly elusive in spite of its general currency and the proliferation of work which goes by this name. The increased popularity of artists’ books can probably be attributed to the flexibility and variation of the book form, rather than to any single aesthetic or material factor . . . This zone is made at the intersection of a number of different disciplines, fields, and ideas—rather than at their limits. “
--Johanna Drucker, The Century of Artists’ Books
Artists’ Books: Background information
Artists’ books can be any size or shape. They may take on the traditional shape of books as we know them today or they may be more objects of art, such as sculptures or collage images. Artists, in more recent times, have used these books to convey meaning. Images, words, symbols, and colour may or may not be used to deliver the artist’s message.
Artists may play with changing the traditional book pages and covers. They may invent new surfaces for displaying images, words or symbols and use folding and binding in new ways such as Pop up books. The traditional book materials of cardboard and paper may be exchanged for wood, Perspex or natural objects. Artists’ books are unique artworks that carry new meanings for the reader.
Books as we know them date back to ancient times. Messages found on clay tablets, scrolls and Coptic manuscripts show a progression of book technology through time. Some ancient Christian manuscripts are found to have the improvements of page stitching and leather binding to help provide more robustness to the book. These traditions are still being used today in book manufacturing. Artists’ books can go beyond this strict structure to blend the message with art to convey meaning to the reader or viewer.
Objectives:
This course will introduce students to the design, aesthetics and concepts of bookmaking with an emphasis on the book as a sculptural form. It focuses1 on contemporary artists' book production over the past 30 years. Students will be able to create original artists books in a variety of media and formats
with competence and skill. Students will demonstrate through models and the creation of
series of artists books an understanding of book structures and related media and
knowledge of contemporary practice in artists books The students will look at the unique interplay between word, image, and page/container that the genre facilitates. The focus will be on creating books as art by exploring concepts and content that combine images with text in unexpected and unconventional ways. Students will be encouraged to experiment with ideas that break away from the traditional form and idea of the book. Assignments will center on general themes, allowing students to develop their own specific ideas for projects. Throughout the course, students will study various bindings and presentation formats, establishing the concepts and tools they will need to create their own books in the semester. The class will consider the book as a sculptural space, and use formal strategies in order to explore content. These books can test the boundaries of what a ‘book’ is actually supposed to look like. The shape and form of an artist book is almost limitless. The book may be contained within a cover or it may be enclosed in a box. It may be artistically arranged for viewing from different angles or the viewer may need to discover its secrets through quiet contemplation page by page. Individual and collaborative book projects will be presented, and students will have the opportunity to utilize original artists' books from the UCSD Special Collections and Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla (still need to confirm this) for research purposes.
Overall Goals:
·To look at the role of Book Arts within contemporary art history.
·To use the format of a book to explore sculptural strategies, narration, and formal issues.
·To practice basic bookbinding formats.
·To develop critical 3-dimensional thinking skills.
·To further explore the relationship between form and content.
·To introduce students to the history of the book, the book arts, and artist's books
·To provide students with solid foundation in craft techniques as they relate to the book arts including working with materials and developing appropriate structures. This will be through:
Working in multiples
Studying and researching structures
·To curate and assemble an exhibit of works to be shown in the college Library during the second half of the Semester
·Students explore and discuss ‘books as art’ and artists’ books with the aim of creating an artist’s book of their own.
·discuss historical evidence about books explore the purpose and meanings of artists’ books
·explore and discuss techniques and processes found in Artists’ Books
·compare and contrast characteristics of traditional books and artists’ books
Cource Description and Scope:
