Artist Books/Visual Books Definition and Examples
Definition of Artist Book Book composed by an artist(s). Who is an artist? Visual artist Writer Poet Performer Composer Content of artist book Images Words or word-like appearance (e.g., hieroglyphics, ideograms) Diagrams Musical notations
Extended Definition of Artist Book Artist book has a visually appealing presentation as a result of hands-on involvement by a visual artist, writer, poet, performer, or composer. Artist book is not a book in which fine typography is utilized for conventional fiction, non-fiction and poetry nor is it a book in which images and text or poems exist side by side throughout the book (Livre d’Artiste).
What is an artists’ book? An artist’s book is an artwork in a book format, or an artwork which has its origin in the form or concept of the book. The term was originally coined to describe books which had their origin in the conceptual art movement of the 1970s. The typical artist’s book today is a limited edition handmade book. The material ranges from lyrical and poetical works, books that take on a sculptural aspect to beautiful examples which blend the creativity of the artist with the technology of today’s computer age. Artists books come in all forms, shapes and sizes, and are made out of a variety of materials including wood, handmade paper and stone
Examples of Mass Produced Artist Books Verbal/Visual Concrete poetry, visual poetry, sound poetry, performance art/poetry, shaped poetry, rebus, conceptual art, pictograph books. Unusual shaped books or bindings Diarist Experimental calligraphy Experimental fiction Flip pages and pop-up books
Plastic Surgery Skin Deep
“Hawkins Hill”
“Thursday Morning”
“Corral”
“Intimate Landscape”
“Bushfire”
“On the Island”
“Boris”
“Pyromaniac”
“Black Box”
“Skin Deep”
“Rock and Roll”
“Hillend”
“Patterns”
Two birds, the dearest of friends, live in the same tree Two birds, the dearest of friends, live in the same tree. One eats the sweet fruit. The other, without eating, watches.
“Spirit Vessel”
“Fern Book”
“Time Machine”
“Altered Text”
“Log Book”
“Four Seasons”
Visual Poetry
Visual Poetry
Visual Poetry
Visual Poetry
Concrete Poetry
Cancelled Text
Sound Poetry
Sound Poetry
Performance Poetry
Shaped Poetry
Shaped Poetry
Shaped Poetry
Shaped Poetry
Shaped Poetry
Letter Picture
Book Object
Book Object – Children’s Book
Unusual Binding
Tunnel Book
Diarist
Diarist
Diarist
Diarist
Autograph Book: Visual Poetry
Autograph Book: Visual Poetry