BART 4395 - Artists' Books II

Building on skills acquired in Artists' Books I, this course provides the opportunity for higher-level research, ideation, conceptualization, structural innovation, material exploration, and expansion of production modalities. In addition to completing several small projects early in the semester, the intermediate student, in dialogue with the instructor(s), designs a semester-length project cultivated around exemplars and models. Through class critique and discussion, appropriate formats for specified concepts are identified, which the student can then adapt and apply in the production of a self-authored artist's book. Critical theory, content development, book design, integration of various media, low-tech image making and printing processes, and the functionality of various bookmaking materials are addressed throughout the course. A student with previous letterpress experience may opt to produce a letterpress edition and will be advised by instructor(s) regarding printing concerns.