Ellen Sheffield

This course is an introduction to the artistic practice of book arts, also called artists' books. Through a progression of exercises, demonstrations and projects, the conceptual thinking and artistic skills that go into the planning and making of artists' books will be explored. Projects may incorporate various procedures of Eastern and Western book forms, adhesive and nonadhesive bindings and experimental book forms. Students will explore the intersection of text and image, and the effect of technological innovations, such as digital publishing, on the codex book form. Readings, presentations and discussions on the development of the book art genre will place book arts within the context of contemporary cultural expressions such as sociopolitical commentary, poetic association, explorations of the nature of language and carriers of the narrative tradition. This counts toward the introductory requirement for the major and minor. No prerequisite. Offered once a year.