IU Fine Arts Library Guide: Artists' Books

Fine Arts Library Guide:
Artists' Books Resources in the Fine Arts Library

Artists' books are books created as original works of art that push the boundaries of the traditional book form. Artists' books include varied formats such as flip books, tunnel and accordion fold books, and even decks of cards. The artist controls both the form and content of the book during the entire process of creation and production whether it is a unique object or a work published in multiple copies.

An uncataloged list of over 400 artists' books in the Fine Arts Library Special Collection is available on reserve at the circulation desk. Ask for uncataloged item #12. The list is arranged alphabetically by artist name. Also ask at the circulation desk for Special Collection books, which are available for viewing in the reference office.

ANTHOLOGIES AND SOURCEBOOKS:

Reserve
N7433.3
.D78
1995
Drucker, Johanna. The Century of Artists' Books. Granary Books, 1995.
Provides a thorough overview of the history of the artist's book. Includes chapters about early artists' books, the book form, as well as the ways in which artists have explored the book form as a means of communication. Each chapter is followed by bibliographic notes.
Reserve
N7433.35
.G7
C68
1995
Courtney, Cathy. Speaking of Book Art: Interviews with British and American Book Artists. Anderson-Lovelace Publishers, 1999.

Special
Z1217
.S694
F7
1983
Frank, Peter. Something Else Press, An Annotated Bibliography. McPherson & Co., 1983.
An annotated bibliography of artists' books published by the now defunct Something Else Press, founded in 1964 by fluxus artist Richard C. Higgins. It includes descriptions and photos of books by famous authors such as: William Burroughs, Claes Oldenburg, Gertrude Stein, and John Cage.
Red Reference
N7433.3
.K556
1998
Klima, Stephan. Artists' Books: A Critical Survey of the Literature. Granary Books, 1998.
A guide to writings on artists' books with five essays exploring a range of topics. This book has an extensive bibliography.
Reserve
N7433.3
.A75
1985
Lyons, Joan (ed.). Artist's Books: Critical Anthology and Sourcebook. NY: Visual Studies Workshop Press, 1985.
An anthology of writings by long-time observers and participants in the artists' books field, including Clive Phillpot, Lucy Lippard, and Ulises Carrion. These writings explore the origins and attributes of artists' books, note who produces and publishes them, and give locations of collections of artists' books. It also has an extensive bibliography.

JOURNALS:

Reserve
NK8553
.H36
Hand Papermaking. Washington D.C.
Articles approach the art of papermaking from the viewpoint of teachers in the book making field, techniques and materials, museum collections of paper sculptures, and other topics.
Reserve
New
Journal of Artists' Books. [JAB] New Haven, CT.
Journal addressing artist's book issues, published biannually. Articles include reviews of books about the artist's book as well as reviews of artists' books themselves. The articles are an excellent source for information about key figures in the contemporary artist's book field.
N1
.U4
Umbrella. Santa Barbara, CA.
This journal features occasional interviews with movers and shakers in the field, as well as current events, book reviews (including reviews of exhibition catalogs), a directory of people, calls for submissions of art work, meetings, and upcoming shows.

HOW TO CONSTRUCT ARTISTS' BOOKS:

Reserve
Z271
.W37
1995
Webberley, Marilyn, and JoAn Forsyth. Books, Boxes and Wraps. Bifocal Pub., 1995.
A sourcebook including clear instructions and numerous illustrations for creating many non-traditional book forms by hand.
Reserve
Z271
.L44
1995
LaPlantz, Shereen. Cover to Cover. Lark Books, 1995.
Basic guide to creating handmade books with many step-by-step diagrams and photographs of sample books. In addition, numerous color photographs document actual artists' books.
Reserve
Z271
.S66
1993
Smith, Keith. Non-Adhesive Binding. Keith A. Smith, 1993.
Advanced guide to creating both simple and very complex book bindings with basic hand tools. Illustrated with clear black-and-white diagrams and photographs. Includes a glossary and a detailed list of suppliers, publications, organizations, and institutions of interest to the book artist.

EXHIBITION CATALOGS:

Special
NX600
.C6
G83
Guest, Tim and Germano Celant. Books by Artists. Toronto: Art Metropole, 1981.
Catalog of a 1981 artist book exhibition from Canadian art galleries. The catalog includes two essays in both French and English, "An Introduction to Books by Artists," and "Books as Artwork." Also included are photographs of artists' books from the exhibition and a bibliography.
Special
N7433.3
.A78
1994
Artists' Books at Indiana University. March 1 - April 10 1994. Bloomington, IN: Art History and Studio Programs of the H. R. Hope School of Fine Arts, 1994.
A guide to an exhibition that took place at Indiana University. It was written by students enrolled in the art history and studio programs and is in the form of an artist's book designed by School of Fine Arts graphic design students. It provides a brief history of artists' books.

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Last updated: May 4, 2001.
URL:http://www.indiana.edu/~libfinea/handouts/artistsbooks.html
Comments: libart@indiana.edu
Copyright 1997, The Trustees of Indiana University

Reserve N7433.3 .D78 1995	Drucker, Johanna. The Century of Artists' Books. Granary Books, 1995. Provides a thorough overview of the history of the artist's book. Includes chapters about early artists' books, the book form, as well as the ways in which artists have explored the book form as a means of communication. Each chapter is followed by bibliographic notes.
Reserve N7433.35 .G7 C68 1995	Courtney, Cathy. Speaking of Book Art: Interviews with British and American Book Artists. Anderson-Lovelace Publishers, 1999.
Special Z1217 .S694 F7 1983	Frank, Peter. Something Else Press, An Annotated Bibliography. McPherson & Co., 1983. An annotated bibliography of artists' books published by the now defunct Something Else Press, founded in 1964 by fluxus artist Richard C. Higgins. It includes descriptions and photos of books by famous authors such as: William Burroughs, Claes Oldenburg, Gertrude Stein, and John Cage.
Red Reference N7433.3 .K556 1998	Klima, Stephan. Artists' Books: A Critical Survey of the Literature. Granary Books, 1998. A guide to writings on artists' books with five essays exploring a range of topics. This book has an extensive bibliography.
Reserve N7433.3 .A75 1985	Lyons, Joan (ed.). Artist's Books: Critical Anthology and Sourcebook. NY: Visual Studies Workshop Press, 1985. An anthology of writings by long-time observers and participants in the artists' books field, including Clive Phillpot, Lucy Lippard, and Ulises Carrion. These writings explore the origins and attributes of artists' books, note who produces and publishes them, and give locations of collections of artists' books. It also has an extensive bibliography.

Reserve NK8553 .H36	Hand Papermaking. Washington D.C. Articles approach the art of papermaking from the viewpoint of teachers in the book making field, techniques and materials, museum collections of paper sculptures, and other topics.
Reserve New	Journal of Artists' Books. [JAB] New Haven, CT. Journal addressing artist's book issues, published biannually. Articles include reviews of books about the artist's book as well as reviews of artists' books themselves. The articles are an excellent source for information about key figures in the contemporary artist's book field.
N1 .U4	Umbrella. Santa Barbara, CA. This journal features occasional interviews with movers and shakers in the field, as well as current events, book reviews (including reviews of exhibition catalogs), a directory of people, calls for submissions of art work, meetings, and upcoming shows.

Reserve Z271 .W37 1995	Webberley, Marilyn, and JoAn Forsyth. Books, Boxes and Wraps. Bifocal Pub., 1995. A sourcebook including clear instructions and numerous illustrations for creating many non-traditional book forms by hand.
Reserve Z271 .L44 1995	LaPlantz, Shereen. Cover to Cover. Lark Books, 1995. Basic guide to creating handmade books with many step-by-step diagrams and photographs of sample books. In addition, numerous color photographs document actual artists' books.
Reserve Z271 .S66 1993	Smith, Keith. Non-Adhesive Binding. Keith A. Smith, 1993. Advanced guide to creating both simple and very complex book bindings with basic hand tools. Illustrated with clear black-and-white diagrams and photographs. Includes a glossary and a detailed list of suppliers, publications, organizations, and institutions of interest to the book artist.