Art Made from Books - Review
Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed is a weighty, paper-covered hardback with more than two hundred beautiful photographs that depict the work of nearly thirty altered book artists around the world, primarily in the U.S. and UK.
Admittedly, I spend more time than the average bear scouting the internet for the newest paper-themed content to share here. Thus, quite a few of the images and names were as familiar as old friends, but then again, many were new to me. There is much to see between the stitched covers.
Yes, stitched... a unique feature is the book's exposed spine. If I were to spy
this title on a coffee table, the binding alone would make me curious enough to thumb through the pages.
The tactile stitching can serve as a reminder that all books were originally crafted by hand, as well as a nod to the strength of the printed book which will allow it to coexist with that young upstart, the e-book. As this collection of art pieces proves, tattered books, worn and past their prime, can be reshaped into extraordinary objects.
Art Made from Books was edited by Laura Heyenga and begins with an interesting preface by artist Brian Dettmer, followed by Alyson Kuhn's introduction of the artists and a history of the altered book, a relatively recent phenomenon dating back just to the 1960s. A description of each person's work precedes the images; bios of the artists are located at the end of the book. Su Blackwell, Jeremy May, Kylie Stillman, Robert The, and many more are represented here, including the mysterious Edinburgh artist who placed intriguing sculptures in libraries and cultural institutions around the city.
I suggest not rushing through Art Made from Books, but instead set aside time to savor each artist's thoughtful work. Perhaps you'll be inspired to create your own altered book.
Cara Barer
cover image, Explorer, 2011
cover image, Explorer, 2011
Guy Laramée
The Web, 2012
Mike Stilkey
Reminiscent, 2010
The tactile stitching can serve as a reminder that all books were originally crafted by hand, as well as a nod to the strength of the printed book which will allow it to coexist with that young upstart, the e-book. As this collection of art pieces proves, tattered books, worn and past their prime, can be reshaped into extraordinary objects.
Arián Dylan
Semillas de libro (Seed Book), 2012 (detail)
James Allen
Skulduggery, 2012
