Library exhibition focuses on books as an art form
Library exhibition focuses on books as an art form
An exhibition entitled "Personal Visions: Artists Books at the Millennium" is on view through June 9 in the Special Collections Exhibition Gallery in the Morris Library.
Iris Snyder, associate librarian in the Special Collections Department, is the curator of the exhibition, which demonstrates that artists' books are not books about art, but instead are art expressed through book form.
The exhibition demonstrates that, when the content and form of a book are considered together and given equal significance, the book becomes more than a simple container for information.
The goal of many book artists is to involve the reader actively in the viewing process, not only to see the words on the page but also to think about how the words, pictures and physical form of the object all contribute to the meaning.
In the western tradition, readers are so familiar with the codex–or traditional book format– that they rarely think about the form, only about the contents. To break out of this mindset, the format of the book must step out of the ordinary, in whatever small or large way, so that the reader will no longer take it for granted. Instead, the form of the book becomes an integral and dynamic part of the work and of the reader's experience.
This can be achieved simply by changing the traditional codex form into a scroll or accordion, by altering the typography or by the use of creative binding materials so that the work draws attention to itself as a whole.
Some book artists go further, altering the form to the point that the book no longer functions for reading. Bindings have been torn, glued shut, or tied up; text may be transformed or unintelligible. All that is left is the idea of the book and the viewer's reaction to it.
The books in this exhibition come from UD's Special Collections, which has major holdings in the field of history of books and printing. These collections include not only books, but also manuscript collections of small presses. Special Collections has been actively acquiring contemporary fine press and artists' books for more than 20 years, including many works published by Granary Press, Janus Press, Nexus Press, Gehenna Press and Women's Studio Workshop.
"Personal Visions" includes examples from these presses as well as works by local artists such as Martha Carothers, associate dean of the College of Arts and Science; Norman Sasowsky, professor emeritus of art; and book artist David Moyer. Other book artists featured in the exhibition are Julie Chen, known for her intricately designed pop-up books; renowned papermaker Claire Van Vliet; and miniature book artist Maryline Poole Adams.
Both give voice to artistic creativity and both challenge the reader to become involved in the reading experience. By focusing on works published since 1995, the exhibition allows for clear comparisons among current works. "Personal Visions" offers its audience a surprising, often challenging look at the creative interplay of the artist and the book.
An online version of the "Personal Visions" exhibition will soon be available.
For additional information, call 831-2231.
