An artist's book is an art object in the form of a book. Occasionally, these are unique book-objects: more often, Artist's books are printed in editions of various size.
Although artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, the artist's book is primarily understood as a twentieth-century form; the dada and surrealist movements in the early decades of the twentieth century saw many experimental publications by artists, including three-dimensional book-objects by Marcel Duchamp and collage novels by Max Ernst. Inexpensive artist's books were an important part of several avant-garde practices that attempted to democratize access to art. Books were produced by members of the loosely affiliated Fluxus group (including George Maciunas and Yoko Ono), whose shared values included an emphasis on ephemeral forms. Artists associated with the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, such as Andy Warhol and Ed Ruscha, produced well known artist's books. Conceptual and post-conceptual artists have also created these books, notably including books by William Wegman, Douglas Huebler , Martin Kippenberger and Raymond Pettibon.
See also
Max Ernst, Gilbert and George, Dave McKean, graphic novel, illuminated manuscript
External links
Last updated: 05-07-2005 15:35:00
