★Inspiration from trip to the V&A
A while ago I went to an 'Artist books' exhibition at the V&A to get inspiration for my work and as a form of research. It was amazing to see the different types of books, many people would assume that books should look like traditional books.
It was refreshing to see how creative artists can be, the various types of styles, materials, pages, layouts showed that books could still be books without needing to adhere to the traditional form. The most interesting aspect was the binding, not your traditional hardback or stapled, some didn't look like books at all.
It was refreshing to see how creative artists can be, the various types of styles, materials, pages, layouts showed that books could still be books without needing to adhere to the traditional form. The most interesting aspect was the binding, not your traditional hardback or stapled, some didn't look like books at all.
The Book of Nails
By Floating Concrete Octopus
Publisher: Madison, Wis: Xexoxial Endarchy, 1992
By Floating Concrete Octopus
Publisher: Madison, Wis: Xexoxial Endarchy, 1992
This book immediately caught my eye out of the whole display. The work comprises a copy of a book entitled 'Vincent Van Gogh', which has been overprinted in black and sealed at the edges with nuts and bolts. The covers of this unopened book has been driven through with nails, the points which face out threateningly and decorated with splashes of red paint resembling blood.
I love the way it doesn't open like a traditional book; the way it has been made makes me curious and think maybe the book reflects how the artist felt when he/she made it. The words angry and frustrated seem to shout from the book.
I love the way it doesn't open like a traditional book; the way it has been made makes me curious and think maybe the book reflects how the artist felt when he/she made it. The words angry and frustrated seem to shout from the book.
Giving fear a proper name
Detroit/Susan Kae Grant
Grant, Susan Kae
Publisher: Dallas Texa, Black Rose Press, 1984
Detroit/Susan Kae Grant
Grant, Susan Kae
Publisher: Dallas Texa, Black Rose Press, 1984
This smallbook is bound in innocuous looking pink material, the only indication of the sinister content is a small cap gun on the end of a ribbon for the use of a bookmark. The book contains minature tableaux depicting phobias along with a text relating to the phobia.
The depictions use a variety of disturbing materials including hair, pins and human teeth. The collagated illustrations have a photographic portrait element, lending them anatomical authority of a distinctly alarming nature. This is a beautifully crafted, deeply disturbing piece, no doubt portraying some of the artist's phobia.
The depictions use a variety of disturbing materials including hair, pins and human teeth. The collagated illustrations have a photographic portrait element, lending them anatomical authority of a distinctly alarming nature. This is a beautifully crafted, deeply disturbing piece, no doubt portraying some of the artist's phobia.
Real Lush
Kevin Osborn 1951
Publisher: Arlington Va, K, Osborn, 1981
Writer's centre offset work
Kevin Osborn 1951
Publisher: Arlington Va, K, Osborn, 1981
Writer's centre offset work
Kevin Osborn's book 'Real lush' contains repeated images throughout the book. The book is small yet thick. The uniqueness of the book is that the spine is pressed in a way that forces the book to sit at a tilted position as a book would sit after a hand has forced it to flip its pages quickly in front of the viewer. Osborn highlights the comfortably and the familarity of the flipping action, the relationship between the book and the reader.
Killing III: Hawrysio Denise
Publisher: London D. Hawrysio 1989
This work by Denise Hawrysio is the third in her 'Killing' series of four books. The pages of these works are made from leopard skin fur and inside this blood red buckram bound cover presents English rabbit fur. The use of animal pets in these works has frequently led to their attribution as a wordless protest against the senseless slaughter of animals in the fur industry.
Pledge
William Harroff
1994, publisher: Edwardsville
This is the first in a series of limited edition snow globe bookwork by Willliam Harroff. The title of the work, 'I pledge' derives from its content; namely words taken from the pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the US.
This playful bookwork reflects the artist's interest in words, the contemplation of their individual meaning and their liberation from the printed page.
I really like this 'bookwork' as it is not actually a book at all and the snow globe is beautiful when it is shaked.
This playful bookwork reflects the artist's interest in words, the contemplation of their individual meaning and their liberation from the printed page.
I really like this 'bookwork' as it is not actually a book at all and the snow globe is beautiful when it is shaked.
Bok 3b and 3d: Rekonstruktion der m verlag 'Ferlag ed'.
Roth, Dieter, 1930-1998
Publisher, Stuttgatt 1974
This is a comic book which remind me so much of the Beano comics. The colours and illustrations are beautiful even though I don't understand what it says.
Home Manoeurves
Bruce Mclean
Mclean Bruce, 1994
Publisher: London Knife Edge press 1987
This book is binded by punching holes through the pages near the spine and threading string to tie it up, I think it's a very good idea and looks neat and tidy. The book purposely does not have a cover, it was ripped off which I find interesting as all books have covers.