Artists' Books and the Book Arts Genre

Interest in bookbinding and the related arts has exploded in the past decade, inspiring artists to explore the unlimited possibilities of the form--and delighting collectors, crafters, and gallery owners. Lark's Cover to Cover has been a bestseller for more than ten years, and this new and provocative on-the-page gallery, richly illustrated with hundreds of breathtaking photographs, will appeal to that same large and discerning audience. They'll appreciate the artistry of a finely tooled leather cover, embellished with traditional gold-leaf lettering; the intricacy of an exotic Ethiopian binding with a show-stopping open spine; and others that resemble mysterious puzzle boxes, or that curl, hang, and swirl. The sublimely talented contributors all put their finest work on display: Jeanne Germani's Cloudspeak showcases her own handmade papers, made from such varied materials as recycled denim, thistle, and other plant matter. Chris Bivin's codex-style volume features curious, tiny, found objects. One of Laura Wait's untitled pieces utilizes a handsome raised-cord binding to connect a pair of stained-cedar covers with abstract aluminum letterforms attached. The entire collection is juried by the esteemed Steve Miller.

Artwork by Stefan Klima.

Artists around the world have lately been turning to their bookshelves for more than just a good read, opting to cut, paint, carve, stitch or otherwise transform the printed page into whole new beautiful, thought-provoking works of art.Art Made from Books is the definitive guide to this compelling art form, showcasing groundbreaking work by today's most showstopping practitioners. From Su Blackwell's whimsical pop-up landscapes to the stacked-book sculptures of Kylie Stillman, each portfolio celebrates the incredible creative diversity of the medium. A preface by pioneering artist Brian Dettmer and an introduction by design critic Alyson Kuhn round out the collection. Presented in an unusual, tactile package with an exposed spine, this is an essential addition to the libraries of book lovers and art aficionados.

Despite critics' claims that technology has dealt a death-blow to the centuries old art form of book making, this volume proves that the bound book is indeed alive and well. A comprehensive guide to printed volumes, featuring not only finished projects but also the techniques and materials of book making, as well as definitions of the terminology.

Artists' books have emerged over the last 25 years as the quintessential contemporary art form, addressing subjects as diverse as poetry and politics, incorporating a full spectrum of artistic media and bookmaking methods, and taking every conceivable form. Female painters, sculptors, calligraphers, and printmakers, as well a growing community of hobbyists, have played a primary role in developing this new mode of artistic expression.The Book as Art presents more than 100 of the most engaging women's artist books created by major fine artists such as Meret Oppenheim, May Stevens, Kara Walker, and Renee Stout and distinguished book artists such as Susan King, Ruth Laxson, Claire Van Vliet, and Julie Chen. Culled from over 800 unique or limited-edition volumes held by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, these books explore the form as a container for ideas. Descriptions of the works are accompanied by colorful illustrations and reflections by their makers, along with essays by leading scholars and a lively introduction by the most famous book artist in our culture, best-selling author Audrey Niffenegger. The exquisitely crafted objects in theThe Book as Art are sure to provoke unexpected and surprising conclusions about what constitutes a book. The Book as Art accompanies the exhibition of the same name at the Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., beginning in October 2006.

With Bookforms, learn an array of traditional and contemporary hand-bookbinding methods from around the world from the instructors at the Center for Book Arts.

"Over the last ten years this book has become the definitive text in an emergent field: teachers, librarians, students, artists, and readers turn to the expertise contained on these pages every day."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

An increasingly popular craft trend receives awe-inspiring treatment by a major artist. Alisa Golden (Creating Handmade Books) has created a spectacular guide sure to enlighten both beginners and more advanced students. She provides invaluable instruction on structure--which is where newcomers will focus their energies first--as well as design and content, for those who already have some experience. From measuring and scoring to folding and cutting, from tools for bookbinding to useful media for writing and image-making, there’s a rich store of information on the craft--and a wonderfully wide range of projects, too. Make accordion and flag books, including miniature volumes; side bindings, with cross stitching or laced edges; sewn signatures; portfolios; pop-ups; and other creative styles.

Bookmaking is one of today's fastest-growing crafts, and this on-the-page gallery presents the unlimited potential of the form, from leather-tooled covers and handmade papers to exotic bindings. The talented contributors include Jeanne Germani, David Hodges, Laura Wait, and a host of other artists. With nearly 100 selections taken from the best-selling 500 Handmade Books, this pocket-sized book will delight handmade-book devotees!  

Every year Penland, the innovative school where crafters from around the world come to hone their skills, offers a master class in the art of bookmaking that’s simply without equal. Fortunately, it’s available to everyone, thanks to this technical and inspirational guide that showcases ten contemporary book artists who have taught at the institution. Four hundred illuminating photographs highlight the crafters as each one demonstrates all the details of his or her particular expertise. Marvel at the beauty of Dolph Smith’s sculptural books, the exquisite structure of Jim Croft’s carved wood covers and metal closures, the intricacies of Barbara Mauriello’s handmade boxes and slipcases, and the secrets of Carol Barton’s playful pop-ups. Reflective essays by all the artists add to the creative excitement visible on every page and in every spectacular project.  

Innovative, interesting, exciting: the work gathered in PUSH Paper--part of a stunningly designed new gallery series--is some of the best paper art being created today. Thirty contemporary paper artists, from world-renowned names to talented up-and-comers, all put their own spin on cutting, sculpture, installations, pop ups, paper toys, and more. A vibrant question-and-answer section with the book's distinguished juror, Jaime Zollars, and a biography of each showcased artist complete this visual feast of paper craft.

Re-Bound is a beautiful book on bookbinding with a fun green twist-all the projects use recycled and upcycled materials. This book shows you how to take everyday materials from around the house, flea markets, thrift stores, and hardware stores and turn them into clever and eye-catching hand-made books.

"The influential artist Hedi Kyle and renowned architecture graduate Ulla Warchol shows you how to create their unique designs using folding techniques. From creating flag books and fishbones, to blizzards and nesting boxes, you'll gain an invaluable insight into the work of two skilled artists with this fun read! With the help of their thorough instructions and simple illustrations, you'll be on your way to becoming a pro paper crafter in no time at all" -Sew magazine "A wonderful insight into the work of a truly skilled artist" - PaperCrafter The renowned and influential book artist Hedi Kyle shows you step-by-step how to create her unique designs using folding techniques inThe Art of the Fold. Bookbinding and paper craft projects include flag books, blizzard books, the fishbone fold, and nesting boxes. Written by the doyenne of artists' books, Hedi Kyle,The Art of the Fold is a wonderful insight into the work of a truly skilled artist. Hedi will show you how to bind a book and fold paper to create over 35 of her cut-fold book designs.

Even a beginner can start right out producing uniquely charming and elegant journals, albums, scrapbooks, and more. Envision handmade books to hold your writings, poems, photos, and keepsakes. More than 170 photos to inspire, and hundreds of illustrations to guide readers through the basics of an almost infinite variety of imaginative styles.

From zines you can fold in a minute to luxurious leather journals and sumptuous sketchbooks, How to Make Bookswill walk you through the easy basics of bookmaking. Whether you're a writer, a scrapbooker, a political activist, or a postcard collector, let book artist Esther K. Smith be your guide as you discover your inner bookbinder. Using foolproof illustrations and step-by-step instructions, Smith reveals her time-tested techniques in a fun, easy-to-understand way.

Introducing children to the wonders of making their own books, the 18 projects are innovative and interactive and includes a time capsule with pages to be cut open in the future. Each project is shown in full colour.

In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever. Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacob's ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the author's own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the author's best-selling books Creating Handmade Books, Unique Handmade Books, and Expressive Handmade Books, these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.

Create decorated paper as beautiful as any found in an art store and with more distinctive and personal patterns, too. Alisa Golden's methods of applying inks and paints to paper can dramatically alter the appearance of finished works. From artist books and journals to greeting cards, collages and more, these techniques work on any paper surface and give numerous new skills to the crafter. Create dramatic effects using gesso, acrylic inks, watercolour paints, stamps, stencils and more. From basic patterning to paste paper frottage, plus a selection of nine projects, this book is a treasury of ideas.

Create glowing, three-dimensional home furnishings with handmade paper. Helen Hiebert shows you how to use paper to craft textured lampshades, patterned window treatments, and stenciled room dividers that gently diffuse light and fill your home with a stylish warmth. Discover techniques to make your paper more interesting, including piercing, layering, and crayon batiking. With easy-to-follow instructions and full-color photographs of 15 stunning projects, you'll be inspired to explore the endlessly exciting possibilities of mixing paper and light. 

Craft your own colorful paper goods and personalized stationary. With clear, step-by-step instructions, Helen Heibert covers all aspects of the papermaking process -- from growing and harvesting plants for a malleable paper pulp to embellishment techniques like dyeing, embossing, and laminating. With tips on building your own papermaking equipment, ideas for transforming junk mail into dazzlingly unique notecards, and much more, you'll be inspired to let your creativity shine as you explore the endless possibilities of handcrafted papers. 

Make exquisite papers right in your own kitchen. With a few pieces of basic equipment and a small harvest of backyard weeds, you can easily create stunningly original handcrafted papers. Helen Heibert's illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how easy it is to blend and shape a variety of organic fibers into professional stationery, specialty books, and personalized gifts. You'll soon be creatively integrating plant stalks, bark, flower petals, pine needles, and more to add unique colors and textures to your paper creations.

Explore the world of paper crafts with this inspiring book! This guide begins with a section that covers everything about paper, including cool tools, folding and cutting basics, and fasteners and glues. The next section is filled with 20 fun-filled projects, including: - One-sheet books - Lampshades - Clothing - Accessories - Hot air balloons - Origami You'll also find an extensive gallery of artists whose work relates to and expands upon each project. Take a page from this creative guide and start Playing with Paper!

Elegant and accessible, this interactive handbook teaches crafters of all ages how to create kinetic paper art. The projects are complete with examples, formulas, and the essential instruction that allows them to be constructed directly from the book with simple materials on hand: paper, scissors, and glue. Pop-ups are grouped by type--box or triangle--and as the chapters progress, the techniques are combined and layered for more dramatic effects. With its thorough explanations and inspiring ideas, this book will bring color and motion to crafters' cards, scrapbooks, and invitations.

How is it that text can be set perfectly and yet look insufferably dull? How do you achieve perfect congruence between the type itself and its meaning? InDetail in Typography Jost Hochuli, master book designer and author of the seminalDesigning Books, addresses the finer points of setting text. Hochuli begins with a consideration of how human beings read, moving on incrementally to considerations of letter, word, and line as well as word-space and line-space. Hochuli concludes by examining whole paragraphs and how they carry meaning. Produced in Switzerland to the highest standards,Detail in Typography embodies critical thinking and articulate design in its own physical form.

Renowned typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst brings clarity to the art of typography with this masterful style guide. Combining the practical, theoretical, and historical, this edition is completely updated, with a thorough revision and updating of the longest chapter, "Prowling the Specimen Books," and many other small but important updates based on things that are continually changing in the field.