Artists’ books are works of art that are realized in the form of a book. Generally published in limited editions or as unique works of art, artists’ books can take many forms. For example, DAAP Library’s collection includes concertinas, games, painted cards, and quilts with text. Although book printers have experimented with unique looks for their products for centuries, the artists’ book is primarily a twentieth and twenty-first century art form.
Up until recently, there wasn’t a collection focus per se. Instead, we allowed the collection to develop in interesting ways. That said, recently we decided to establish a collection focus. We’re going to collect artists’ books which focus on cultural, racial, and sexual diversity, a focus that we feel aligns well with the interests of UC as an institution as well as the greater UC community. Many of the books in our current collection deal with diversity as a theme, particularly sexual diversity, and we hope to acquire many more artists’ books that promote or feature issues of diversity and multiculturalism.
We created this blog to increase awareness of and engagement with our lovely artists’ book collection. By making images of the books available online, we are sharing them with a much larger audience, especially those who are unable to view the books in person. A wider audience is especially relevant to our new collection focus on diversity issues.
Clifton Meador has crafted a stunning book. The book was very inspirational to me. It showed how an old culture can be sustained in its entirety. Meador shows photos of Tibetans walking around the outside of a temple worshiping with prayer wheels. This reminded me of walking meditation. The people seemed totally wrapped up in their worship.
ReplyDeleteMeador also describes the temple as having blocks that are the oldest Tibetan literature and are still being made today. I loved the prints of the little figures walking on the cover and leaves in the book. This gave a sense of strong community to keep the tradition going.