artists’ book?
When considering the term artists’ book, the first question requiring an answer is, what is an artists’ book?
Are they books written by, about, or for artists? Are they journals for artists to use? Are they books altered to create a sculpture by an artist? Some images may come to mind.
Although these may be books written by an artist, for artists or made by artists, they are not artists’ books.
To answer such a question requires breaking down the building blocks to understand the essential formulation.
It is just as important to know what something is, as well as what something isn’t.
According to professor Anne Moeglin-Delcrois, one key element to an artists’ book is the “artists responsibility for its production from conception through publication, even to its distribution.” Seemingly, that the artists’ book holds a sense of agency, not attached to publishing or commercial influences.
“Art seems pure for a moment when it detaches itself from money. And since many people can posses a book, no one is its sole owner.”
Therefore, an essential aspect of an artists’ book is the way it reaches out to others. It jumps off the gallery wall and it goes for a walk into peoples houses and into peoples homes. It is held, cradled by our hands, the same part of us we use to touch those we love.