Book Arts Tuesday-Artist's Books at the Smithsonian

Smithsonian Libraries Artists' Books is a great website. Here is part of the introduction which gives food for thought about the complications of collecting and cataloguing artist's books:

Artists’ books exist at the intersections of printmaking, photography, poetry, experimental narrative, visual arts, graphic design, and publishing. They have made a place for themselves in the collections of museums, libraries, and private collectors. They have caught the interest of art historians and critics writing about art, and there are numerous studio programs in art schools dedicated to the art of the book, ushering in new generations of artists making books.

Because these works straddle the boundary between the art and literary worlds, they present certain challenges. Many artists intend their works to be interactive and expect their pages to be turned and the weight and texture of the book to be felt by the reader. However when on display in the museum, the book cannot be read; these works are often protected under glass, installed as art objects. Artists’ books pose particular challenges to librarians. Like installations or “mixed media” works of art, artists’ books often defy easy classification. Even after completing the difficult task of identifying an artist’s book as such, catalogers must describe the book – which might lack a title page, possess unusual physical features, or have several creators – so that it can be discovered in the library’s online catalog.

Artists’ books pose particular challenges to library catalogers. Like installations or “mixed media” works of art, artists’ books often defy easy classification. Even after completing the difficult task of identifying an artist’s book as such, catalogers must describe the book – which might lack a title page, possess unusual physical features, or have several creators – so that it can be discovered in the library’s online catalog.

You can view (and search) the books in the collection, all with images and detailed descriptions, and read blog posts regarding the collection. Enjoy!


The blog will be on vacation until April 21st. I'll be spending 5 of those days in New Orleans. I'm going to try to post some pictures to my facebook. I welcome new friends should you want to follow along.