This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bmygdala (talk | contribs) at 08:42, 12 May 2018 (Link fixes and removals of linked resources that no longer exist or do not contain information relevant to altered books). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:42, 12 May 2018 by Bmygdala (talk | contribs) (Link fixes and removals of linked resources that no longer exist or do not contain information relevant to altered books)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
An altered book is a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form into a different form, altering its appearance and/or meaning.
An altered book artist takes a book (old, new, recycled or multiple) and cuts, tears, glues, burns, folds, paints, adds to, collages, rebinds, gold-leafs, creates pop-ups, rubber-stamps, drills, bolts, and/or be-ribbons it. The artist may add pockets and niches to hold tags, rocks, ephemera, or other three-dimensional objects. Some change the shape of the book, or use multiple books in the creation of the finished piece of art.
Altered books may be as simple as adding a drawing or text to a page, or as complex as creating an intricate book sculpture. Antique or Victorian art is frequently used, probably because it is easier to avoid copyright issues. Altered books are shown and sold in art galleries and on the Internet.
An exhibition of altered books by contemporary artists was shown at the Bellevue Arts Museum in 2009, titled The Book Borrowers. It contained 31 works, books transformed into sculptural works. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center was to host an exhibition of altered books in early 2010.
An interesting example of sculpture-like altered books can be found in the mysterious paper sculptures left in various cultural institutions in Scotland, such as the Scottish Poetry Library and the National Library of Scotland.
Recycling old books and using them as art journals has also become popular with some art bloggers and proponents of upcycling.
See also
References
- Bellevue Arts Museum website, accessed 2 June. 2011
- "Mysterious paper sculptures".
External links
- Altered Arts Magazine
- Lisa Kokin - altered book artist
- Corinne Stubson - altered book artist
- Altered Books Gallery - Altered books, tips and techniques
- Tom Philip's A Humument
- The Altered Book: Cyber Home of the Altered Book Artist
- Nicholas Jones homepage
- Jacqueline Rush Lee homepage
- How to create an art journal
- Guy Laramée's home page
- Altered Books entry, Book art library guide at University of South Dakota
- Bound and unbound II: University of South Dakota
- Bound and unbound III: University of South Dakota