Artists' Books

Printed Matter is an organization devoted to books and publications made by artists. On their website they define artists' books in the following manner: “Unlike an art book, catalog or monograph that tend to showcase artworks created in another medium, the term ‘artists’ books’ refers to publications that have been conceived as artworks in their own right. These ‘projects for the page’ are generally inexpensive, often produced in large or open editions, and are democratically available.”

This blog post from the Smithsonian provides basic information about artists’ books and how to define them. They write that “an artist’s book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the form or function of “book” as inspiration… It is the artistic initiative seen in the illustration, choice of materials, creation process, layout and design that makes it an art object. A book that only contains text is simply a book; even if authored by an artist, it would be a book that belongs in a book store or the shelves of a library. What truly makes an artist’s book is the artist’s intent, and artists have used the book as inspiration in a myriad of ways and techniques, from traditional to the experimental.”

bound : unbound is a book artist collective and this page contains a number of definitions from various members. Their definition of artists' books is a lot more abstract and poetic, and to experience it in full we encourage you to visit the linked article. There, bound : unbound defines artists' books as “a work of art in the form of a book. A playful, interactive and handleable exploration of an idea. A sculpture, three dimensional, usually very portable. A work by an artist in a structure that includes ‘pages’ that are bound, folded or arranged together, usually within a binding, covers or a container.”

Yale University Library's Book Art Resources research guide defines artists' books as: “Taking the structure of the book beyond everyday expectations is often a goal of the artist's book. Other important aspects of artists' books are: the use of cross-disciplinary media, the production of the work through an accessible (usually inexpensive) means, and the reaction against the established art world/art market.”

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) writes that artists books are "a term referring to publications conceived, designed, and illustrated by artists, often self-published or published by arts organizations in large or unlimited editions. These books are usually printed commercially with the photolithography (offset) technique and meant to be an affordable art form."

“To make a distinction, artists' books are often unique objects or made in a very small edition. Artists' books as they are understood now exploded in the 1960s but originated in the European livres d’artistes of the early 20th Century. Instead of choosing to make a painting or a drawing, the artist uses the book form to present an idea…
Artists' books are more costly than art zines, both to make and to buy, and tend to be called artists' books or book arts rather than zines by their creators. Art zines tend to have an ephemeral rather than a sculptural quality, whether that is in material or price. One focus of art zines is independent, unmediated production, outside of the art establishment. They tend to be made in larger numbers.”

"An artist's book is a work of art in the form or a book or a book-like structure. Artists' books can be one of a kind, produced in limited editions, or mass produced. They can be hand-made or made by machine. They can be made out of traditional book materials such as paper and cloth but also out of unconventional items…
Zines are generally less craft-focused than artists' books and are made using a printer or copier, often taking the form of pamphlets that are folded or stapled. They offer a low-cost and quick way to share information."