Page by Page: Exploring Our Artists' Books Collection

8/3/23

By: C. B.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a book can be defined as "a set of pages that have been fastened together inside a cover to be read or written in." But what do we consider a page?

Typically, we think of them as paper sheets that form a cohesive work. But what if a page was simply an item that conveyed information? It could be an image that reminds you of your childhood, tarot cards handmade with cloth and beads, or a collage of items that represent a person's life story. If we allow ourselves the freedom to think beyond conventional book structures and book jackets, we can "read" any of these items as stories unto themselves. This is what you will discover in our Artists' Books Collection, which houses works created by South Florida and national artists spanning from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Each item is regarded as a singular and valuable piece of art. They are not confined to the traditional mediums of paper and ink but are created utilizing a variety of mediums and methods, including welding, printing press, carving, painting, and silk screening, and are constructed from a wide range of materials, such as glass, wood, metal, fabrics, and handmade paper.

Many artist books are intended to be interactive. However, because of their delicate nature and uniqueness, they are often displayed under glass when exhibited in the library. This collection has been digitized, enabling viewers to scroll through pages and magnify images. Additionally, some of the items even have 3D models that offer a multi-dimensional viewing experience as originally envisioned by the artist. While many of these works are unique or limited editions, some exist in multiple copies. Due to copyright restrictions on those produced by publishing companies, only parts of some Artists' Books are available in our digital collection.

Alphabet of Invisible Islands by Lydia Rubio (1998)

Our expansive collection, which contains more than 300 Artists' Book items, continues to grow in our Digital Collections, where these and many other pieces of eclectic art are readily available for viewing. Feel free to take a tour through the minds of artists anytime you wish.