The Book as an Artistic Medium

Su Blackwell's Illustrated Book of Birds

As any book lover knows, books can be made of a variety of gorgeous bindings and images. The materials used in making books are not only visually stimulating but include the tactile appeal of quality paper, leather and cloth. Looking at books displayed on shelves, or that particular smell of a used book shop, is a multi-sensory experience for people who are passionate about books.

Several artists have taken the book as an art form one step further by physically altering books to create something entirely new. Some of the techniques involved are collage and paper cutting; other techniques are developed and refined by these creative artists. Sculptural and dreamlike landscapes are the specialty of Su Blackwell, whose work is similar to a (highly evolved) pop-up book. Lisa Occhipinti uses old books and turns them into mobiles that hang from the ceiling (thereby adding a new definition to the phrase "book mobile"). Photographer Cara Barer soaks outdated books in water and then sculpts them into organic looking shapes. Scottish artist Georgia Russell uses a paper cutting technique to sculpt dust jackets and books, displaying them inside bell jars or cases. Brian Dettmer is another sculptural book artist, cutting three dimensional scenes into old books. And Robert The cuts shapes into or out of books, taking a sculptural approach to his work.

So, what do you think of artists redefining the way we look at books as an art form? In this digital age, is the content of greater value than the physical book?