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.
DAAP Library has number 8 of 25. Images of husband and wife are printed on rectos with folding overlay showing the husband in isolation. Illinois: Karen Hanmer, 2006.
Karen Hanmer's book art piece is very moving. The images and text describe a couple. A page is fold over each image with just the part of the picture the husband is in. By doing this we get a sense of separation from the husband. Later on the text reveals that the wife has past away thus explaining why the full image of the couple is foggy. The last photo is clear showing that they have come back together.
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