Tracey Williams and Taarati Taiaroa have curated an exhibition of 66 items from the Fine Arts Library collection. Below is a description of the exhibition followed by a list of further reading on artists’ books and links to related websites.
The exhibition will be held at Projectspace B431, Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, from March 31st to April 9th, 2011 and will be open from 11am to 4pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is also an event at 1pm on Saturday April 2nd in the Elam Lecture Theatre where the curators will be joined in a discussion with special guests followed by high tea. All are welcome.
components of a special collection: a collaboration with the University of Auckland Fine Arts Library.
The exhibition components of a special collection was the result of a survey of the entire collection of artists’ books in the University of Auckland Fine Arts Library. The exhibition was formed from a desire 1/ to make the library’s collection of artists’ books available as a public display and 2/ to identify themes in the collection and open them up to theoretical analysis. Rather than define the collection, the methodology of the project sought to unpack its possibilities. What does the artists’ book collection contain? What is its logic and legacies? What knowledge does it offer regarding local traditions? What are the contextual issues attached to it? And what represents best practice?
Through examining the Special Collection (of artists’ books) various approaches, or components, to the practice of book making were identified, which were used as a curatorial tool to select books for display. Subsequently, by working closely with librarians, these books were presented in Projectspace as a pop up reading room and an extension of the library. The assorted themes identified in the collection also underpinned the logic of the contributions requested, and very generously supplied, to an accompanying publication – which is the first edition of an ongoing accumulation. A discussion (followed by high tea) between the curators and special guests, formatted as a ‘book club’, will analyse and encourage thinking about the multiple functions books may occupy and contribute to in creative practice.
Click here for a list of books used in the exhibition and a map of the layout.
Further reading on Artists' Books
Related websites:
Paper does not refuse ink
Bonefolder
Artist Book 3.0
Directory of Artists' Books Collections
Artist Book Collective on Facebook
Half Letter Presswww.redeye.co.nz/index.htm
Art Market Blog: Collecting Artists' Books
Bookworks
Printer Resources for Independant Art Publishers
The binding studio
The Red Eye
Ampersand Duck
Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild