Rare Book School at the University of Virginia
16 - 20 July 2007 

C-80. Artists’ Books: Strategies for Collecting
Johanna Drucker
The field of artists' books includes work that spans the full spectrum of 
cultural objects, handmade originals, calligraphic and typographic 
experimentation, conceptual productions, and works produced in the 
traditions of fine printing and independent publishing. This course 
provides critical and historical perspectives from which to conceive of a 
collecting rationale for both individuals and institutions. 

This course is aimed at individuals and institutions interested in 
creating a collection of artists' books. To this end, the course begins 
with discussions of the definition of artists' books, critical approaches 
to the field, and principles of assessment and understanding based on 
conceptual, as well as production, values. The course continues with an 
historical discussion of the evolution of artists' books in the c20, an 
examination of significant people and presses in the field, and finally a 
discussion of reference resources. Though the course attempts to be as 
inclusive as possible, it is focused on helping design a collection 
strategy, rather than on an exhaustive look at every individual or 
institution contributing to this burgeoning field. The course focuses on 
those works that are artist initiated and produced, rather than on works 
in the fine printing tradition, livres d'artistes, or publisher-driven 
works, but it does acknowledge the importance of these areas as part of 
the expanded field of artists' books. 
In their personal statement, applicants should describe the purposes to 
which they plan to put the knowledge gained from this class. 

Further info on RBS enrolments:

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