CAMEO | Ask A Librarian |  Site Search | Home

Artists' Books

Artists' Books at Carnegie Mellon

• How To Find Artists' Books in the Library Catalog
• Locations in Hunt Library
• Reference Resources in Hunt Library
  • Texts on How to Construct Artists' Books
  • Surveys and Catalogs
• How to Find Periodical Articles on Artists' Books
  • E-journals

Web Links

• Meta Sites and Guides
• Book Arts Centers and Organizations
• Collections
  • NEW! Otis Artists Books Collection (Otis College of Art and Design)
    Released February 2006. A public database with over 8,000 images of 2,000 artists books and growing.
  • and Otis Laboratory Press
    Student artists books within the last 20 years
• Publishers and Distributors
• Exhibitions and Projects

Artists' Books at Carnegie Mellon

The Fine Arts and Special Collections department in Hunt Library collects, exhibits and teaches about artists' books as a component to the curriculums of The College of Fine Arts and for the region at large. The systematic collection of artists' books at Carnegie Mellon began two decades ago. Since then, the collection has grown to include over 500 books-- the largest of its kind in Pittsburgh. Most of the works date from 1980 to the present, with some prime examples from the 1960s and 1970s.

Artists' books are process-based art forms which transform our experience of the book as an ordinary medium. Made by individuals or groups, these "books" are created in every conceivable format, delve into all aspects of the human experience, and in the process encourage us to "see" with new "eyes." The Carnegie Mellon collection includes works from the exquisitely crafted original to the cheap copy: book sculptures, flip-books, sound works, "virtual installations", matchbooks, books you can't "open", revealing diaries, activist manuals, interactive postcards, and poetic metamorphoses, to name a few.

We collect artists' books from many sources, including individual international artists and established artist book distributors and publishers. We also collect works by the students and faculty at Carnegie Mellon.

Visit one of our past exhibits: Fictitious Texts 1992-1996: Book Sculptures by David Laufer.

Back to top

How to Find Artists' Books in the Library Catalog

Most artists' books in the Carnegie Mellon Libraries are cataloged under a special classification number: 704.655. You can get a fairly comprehensive list of the collection by typing in the phrase - 704.655 or (artists adj books) - using the "Words or Phrase" search in Cameo.

Some artists' books are not classified in 704.655 or the subject heading, "artists' books", so you may want to search the library catalog using a combination of other keywords or phrases. For example: book design; bookbinding; diary or diaries; mail art; copy art; illustrated books; narrative art; notebook or notebooks; postcard or postcards; sketchbook or sketchbooks; toy and movable books; Art Metropole; Lapp Princess Press; Printed Matter; Visual Studies Workshop; Women's Studio Workshop; 741.64 (classification for books and book jackets).

More wide-ranging searches might include the following keywords or phrases: book illustration; conceptual art; computer art; fluxus; performance art; artistic photography; politics and art; video art.

Back to top

Locations in Hunt Library

To browse the circulating collections of artists' books, begin at the classification number, 704.655 in any of the following locations on the 4th Floor of Hunt Library:

STACKS-4 Regular size books
OVRSZQ-4 Oversize books
OVRSZF-4 Folio books (biggest books)
FA-REF-4 Fine Arts Reference (non-circulating collection near the Fine Arts Reference Desk)

Books that are located in non-public location areas (SPEC-F41-4 or DESK-4-NON) can be requested at the Arts Reference Desk.

Back to top

Reference Resources in Hunt Library

Texts on How to Construct Artists' Books

Smith, Keith A. Non-Adhesive Binding: Books Without Paste or Glue. New York: Sigma Foundation, 1991.
DESK-4-NON 655.53 S65n

Smith, Keith A. and Jordon, Fred. Sewn and Pasted Cloth or Leather Bookbinding for Book Artists Requiring No Special Tools or Equipment Rochester, N.Y.: Keith Smith Books, 1998.
DESK-4-NON 741.6 S65S

Smith, Keith A. Structure of the Visual Book. Rochester, N.Y.: Visual Studies Workshop Press, 1984; 1992.
DESK-4-NON and FA-REF-4 655.53 S65s

Smith, Keith, A. Text in the Book Format. New York: Sigma Foundation, 1989.
DESK-4-NON 741.6 S65t

Webberly, Marilyn and Forsyth, JoAn. Books, Boxes and Wraps: Binding & Building Step-by-Step. Kirkland, WA: Bifocal Publishing, 1995.
FA-REF-4 741.64 W37b

Surveys and Catalogs

Barton, Carol June and Barrow, Henry. Books & Bookends: Sculptural Approaches, 1989-1991. Bethesda, MD: Popular Kinetics Press, 1990.
DESK-4-NON 741.64 B724

Books as art: Boca Raton Museum of Art. Rev. 2nd edition. Boca Raton: The Museum, 1992.
FA-REF-4 704.655 B7242a

Bury, Stephen. Artists' Books: The Book as a Work of Art, 1963-1995. Aldershot, Hants, England Brookfield, Vt., USA, 1995.
FA-REF-4 704.655 B97a

Crane, Michael ; Stoflet, Mary, editors. Correspondence Art: Source Book for the Network of International Postal Art Activity. San Francisco: Contemporary Arts Press, 1984.
FA-REF-4 709.04 C824

Cross <+> Currents: Bookworks from the Edge of the Pacific. Pasadena, CA: Umbrella Associates, 1991.
DESK-4-NON 704.655 C951

Drucker, Johanna. The Century of Artists' Books. New York: Granary Books, 1995.
FA-REF-4 704.655 D79c

Guest, Tim and Celant, Germano. Books by Artists. Toronto: Art Metropole, 1981.
FA-REF-4 704.655 G93B

Hendricks, John. Fluxus Codex. Detroit, MI: Gilbert and Lisa Silverman Fluxus Collection in association with H.N. Abrams, NY. 1988.
FA-REF-4 709.04 H49f

Klima, Stefan. Artists Books: A Critical Survey of the Literature. New York: Granary Books, 1998.
FA-REF-4 704.655 K65a

Lauf, Cornelia and Phillpot, Clive. Artist/Author: Contemporary Artists' Books. New York: Distributed Art Publishers: American Federation of Arts, 1998.
FA-REF-4 704.655 L37A

Livres d'Artistes: Livres-Objets = Artists' Books: Book-Objects. NRA Shakespeare Paris: CERPM, 1985.
FA-REF-4 704.655 L788

Lyons, Joan ed. Artists' Books: A Critical Anthology and Source Book. Rochester, N.Y.: The Visual Studies Workshop Press, 1985.
FA-REF-4 709.04 A7913

Printed Matter [distribution catalogs]. Printed Matter Inc., 1981-1986.
FA-REF-4 016.7 P957

Back to top

How to Find Periodical Articles on Artists' Books

• Databases
  Carnegie Mellon users can begin a search for periodical articles about artists' books by linking to Carnegie Mellon Libraries: Arts Databases and searching databases such as Art Abstracts (first choice for the most up-to-date articles), Art Index Retrospective, ArtBibliographies Modern or Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA). Use advanced search and choose the Subject or Subject Headings option using the phrase: artists books. You will get a list with the most recently published article titles appearing first. All of these databases display a bibliographic citation indicating the author, title, source, page numbers, illustrations, and additional subject headings. An abstract (a summary of the article contents) or full-text of the article may be included.

• Browsing
  Specific periodicals to browse in the Carnegie Mellon Hunt Library collection for images and information on artists' books are the Journal of Artists' Books, Afterimage, Art on Paper, and Umbrella.

• Special Issues on Artists Books in Periodicals
  Occasionally a periodical will dedicate a significant portion of an issue to the theme of artists' books. A selection is listed below. Carnegie Mellon, Hunt Library subscribes to most of the journals cited.

  Art and Literature. 21-article special section on art and literature. Kunstforum International. No 140, April/June, 1998.

  The Artist's Book: Text and Its Rivals. 14 article special section in Visible Language, Vol 25, Spring 1991, pp. 177-333.

  Artists' Books. 6 article special section in Artweek, Vol 26, January 1995, pp.16-26.

  Artists' Books. 3 article special section in Afterimage, Vol. 12, January 1985, pp.4-6; 9-11; supp i-xvi.

  Artists' Books: Print Era and After. 8 article special issue in Art Papers, Vol 21, November/December, 1997, pp.10-37.

  Artweek Focus Looks at the State of West Coast Bookworks. 5 article special section in Artweek, Vol 22. June 6, 1991, pp.17-23.

  Books: Special Issue. 6 article special section in New Art Examiner, Vol. 26, No.3, November 1998, pp. 18-43.
  Full-text of this article (without images) is available via the Art Abstracts database.

  Books by Artists. 4 article special section in Print Collector's Newsletter, Vol. 24, July/August, 1993.

  Contemporary Prints and Artists' Books. 5 article special section in Cimaise, Vol. 40, January/March, 1993, pp.7-20; 53-9.

  Experimental Narrative and Artists' Books. 15 article special issue in JAB (Journal of Artists' Books), No. 12, Fall 1999.

  Photography in Print in Great Britain. 5 article special section in Creative Camera, No.2, 1987, pp.14-32; 38-9.

  E-Journals

  Bonefolder: an e-journal for the bookbinder and book artists

  Umbrella
  Online quarterly of news, articles, reviews and links about artists’ books, art books and other multiple editions, including audio and video tapes.
  1978-2005 free to the web.
  2006-present: automatic availablilityto CMU users logging in via campus or remotely via Web VPN

  Note: Journal of Artists' Books (JAB).
  Issues are not online, but the website provides tables of contents for current and back issues, some events news and related artists books links.
  

Back to top

Web Links

Many of the links below contain images of artists books.
Also keep in mind that artist book organizations and centers can have multiple functions as publishers, exhibition and education programmers, centers for artist residencies and workshops, as well as holders of collections and archives.

Meta Sites and Guides

• The Book Arts Web

• bookstorming.com: contemporary art publications, editions and artists' books

• Mail Art: a pathfinder (Kristina Spurgin, University at Albany, SUNY)
  An in-depth guide to web and print resources on this correspondence art form

• University of Idaho Bookarts: Bookmaker Network

• Internet Resources for Artists' Books (University of South Australia Library)
  A selective, but useful pathfinder for information and resources on artists' books including, tutorials, articles and other artist book links and pathfinders.

• Zybooks artists books online (Gandha Key) ndha Key
  London based online resource for artists books worldwide; curates interactive artists books projects online; mail art; events listings.

Book Arts Centers and Organizations

• Art Metropole (Ontario, Canada)
  Not-for-profit organization orginially founded in 1974 by the artists' group General Idea. Sells, produces and exhibits artists books, multiples, video, audio, and electronic media.

• Boekie Wookie (Amsterdam)
  An artist-run bookstore and gallery. Web site contains annotated lists of new and in-stock artists books, audio visuals, prints and multiples. A few images of exhibitions and in the so-called "diary" section.

• Booklyn Artists Alliance (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
  An artist-run, non-profit organization, and project of the New York Foundation for the Arts. Mission: "to promote artist books as an art form and an educational resource, to provide the general public and educational institutions with services and programming involving contemporary artist books, and to assist artists in exhibiting, distributing and publishing artist books."

• Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild
  A well-developed site including an online gallery, publications, and essays on the book arts.

• The Center for Book Arts (New York, N.Y.)
  "...dedicated to preserving the traditional crafts of book-making, as well as exploring and encouraging contemporary interpretations of the book as an art object." Includes, exhibition programs, online exhibitions, artist publications, services to artists, classes by book artists, and related links.\

• Center for Fine Print Research: Book Arts (CFPR). University of West England, Bristol: School of Art, Media and Design)
  Specializing in contemporary artists books; extensively illustrated archived exhibitions; online newsletter, book arts links.

• Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts
  • 5th Annual Edible Books exhibitiion

• The Nexus Contemporary Art Center: Nexus [Press] Online Catalog
  NOTE: Nexus Press residency, internship and production programming has been suspended until further notice. Please check the Nexus homepage for further updates.

• Purgatory Pie Press (Dikko Faust & Esther K Smith)
  Collaborates with artists and teaches courses in the making of artists' books and multiples.

• San Francisco Center for the Book
  It's main focus is to teach and increase awareness about traditional and contemporary book arts; hold exhibitions, events and workshops for all ages in support of book art and artists.

• Visual Studies Workshop (Rochester, NY)
  Internationally recognized center for media studies, including photography, visual books, digital imaging, film and video. Produces and publishes artists' books and Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts and Cultural Criticism; education and exhibition programming, artists residencies, access programs, internships;
  archives and library.

• women's studio workshop
  Not-for profit organization whose mission is to " operate and maintain an artists' workspace that encourages the voice and vision of women artists. We provide professional opportunities and employment for artists at various stages in their careers, and promote programs designed to stimulate public involvement, awareness and support for the visual arts. " Publishes and produces artists books; artist residencies.

Collections

• Bienes Center for the Literary Arts : The Dianne and Michael Bienes Special Collections and Rare Book Library, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
  Exhibitions, publishing and special collections; home of the 2004 Florida Artists' Book Prize.

• Center for Fine Print Research (CFPR). University of the West of England, Bristol
  Site for CFPR Exhibitions and Online Exhibition Archives including the Artists Books Exhibitions Archives.
  "...committed to bringing contemporary print to a wide audience through arranging exhibitions, loaning artworks and the building up of print archives. The Centre regularly attends artists' book fairs and events related to all aspects of contemporary print ..."

• Franklin Furnace Archive, Inc. (Museum of Modern Art)
  Go to the DADABASE, MOMA's library catalog to find artists' books in the collection. Searching on the phrase "Franklin Furnace Collection" will generate an immediate list and descriptions of of over 7,000 artists' books and related works. No images.

• Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection (John M. Flaxman Library, School of the Art Institute of Chicago)
  This site will let you view a small sampling of the 4000+ artists' books and multiples or periodicals as well as samples from selected exhibitions. Also houses an archives and reference library related to the field.

• Kohler Art Library Artists Books Collection (University of Wisconsin, Madison)
  Descriptive and illustrated database of over 700 works in the collection

• Otis Artists Books Collection (Otis College of Art and Design)
  A public database with over 8,000 images of 2,000 artists books and growing. First released in February 2006.

Publishers and Distributors

• Artists Books Johan Deumans
  Specializing in artists books and art editions with "a preference for the obstinate individualsist who doesn't care what is most fashionable...accent on artists who reflect on culture and nature in a scientific-artistic approach."

• Bartkowiak's forum book art (Heinz Stefan Bartkowiak, Hamburg, Germany)
  A private intiative first launched in 1988 to promote contemporary books arts and printing throught publishing and exhibitions. International, but primarily European sources. Web site includes an illustrated publishers list, major international collections, events and links. Publishes the illustrated Bartkowiak's forum book art yearbook.

• Califia Books (San Francisco)
  Distributor of fine press, letterpress editions and artists' books from small and individually operated presses. Web site contains an extensive list of fine press and artists' books links.

• Granary Books
  Publishes and documents artists' books, poetry; deals also in literary and art libraries and archives of the sixties and seventies.

• Indulgence Press (Minneapolis)
  Headed by Chip Shilling. Publishes books, broadsides and prints. Mission is to "integrate form and content through the production of high quality work, while exploring and expanding on the history of the book as an art form." Web site includes images with detailed information about work produced.
  
• The Nexus Contemporary Art Center: Nexus [Press] Online Catalog
  NOTE: Nexus Press residency, internship and production programming has been suspended until further notice. Please check the Nexus homepage for further updates.

• Printed Matter, Inc. (New York, NY)
  Founded in 1976; renowned and largest U.S. non-profit artists' books facility in the U.S. ; dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of artists books in inexpensive editions of 100 or greater through education, consulting and sales.

• Purgatory Pie Press (Dikko Faust & Esther K Smith)
  Collaborates with artists and teach courses in the making of artists' books and multiples.

• Specific Object (New York, NY)
  Begun in 2004 by David Platzker, former Executive Director of Printed Matter Inc.; includes the inventory of the former Bound and Unbound booksellers. Artists publications of all kinds..multiples, posters, ephemera, periodicals, audio works, and more.
  The Specific Object Publication of the Year Award in given each year ; winners receive a cash prize.

• Visual Studies Workshop
  Internationally recognized center for media studies, including photography, visual books, digital imaging, film and video. Produces and publishes artists' books and Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts and Cultural Criticism; education and exhibition programming, artists residencies, access programs, and internships; archives and library.

• women's studio workshop
  Mission is to " operate and maintain an artists' workspace that encourages the voice and vision of women artists. We provide professional opportunities and employment for artists at various stages in their careers, and promote programs designed to stimulate public involvement, awareness and support for the visual arts. "

Exhibitions and Projects
... Artists books exhibitions occur yearly on a global scale. See the Meta-Sites, Book Centers/Organizations and Collections links from this page for additional exhibition information and viewing. Here are a very few highlighted.

• Arcadia Id Est
  A one day symposium at the University of West England, Bristol School of Art, Media and Design
  to accompany a touring exhibition of artists books on nature and the landscape on
  April 15, 2005. Site contains essays and images of the artists books. Exhibition tours until 2007.

• Boxing Clever (CFPR) Centre For Fine Print Research UWE, Bristol School of Art, Media and Design
  April-September 2005
  Artists combine the printed image and paper engineering to create three-dimensional work.
  
• 5th Annual Edible Books (Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts)

• Mobilelivre Bookmobile Project
  Run by the Bookmobile Collective, a fluctuating group of community artists and activists dedicated to promoting "the distribution of information." The library of bookworks travels over the U.S. and Canada in a vintage airstream trailer.

• Women in the Book Arts: A Selection (Wellesley College)

Back to top