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http://http://www.codexfoundation.org/book-fair-and-symposium/book-fair-and-symposium-235

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http://www.booksinthewild.com

Bronwyn Buffalino

Art World Practice

Feb. 8, 2017

Books as works of art is a dynamic art world. It has many participants from papermakers, book binders, printmakers, publishers of private presses to artists who create fine art prints and two or three-dimensional art books. The audience that engages in this art world are private collectors, public and private libraries, museums, specialty bookstores, podcast interviews and enthusiasts of all ages. Colleges even offer degree and workshops in book arts. Book fairs have been organized mostly by nonprofits to help bring this cooperating network of artmakers to exhibit their works in a public venue.

Participants in the book arts are found all over the world creating and collaborating on their crafts. This art world relies on the different specialties that help create a final product. Papermakers skills help produce quality paper for the specific need of being printed on with or without a press. Printmakers rely on the papers quality when using ink to get the right amount of saturation into the paper. The presses used to transfer images and letters are needed because the pressure of the press controls the outcome of how the ink transfers onto paper. Publishers use letterpresses to add unique fonts and symbols to the art book. Bookbinders complete the process crafting in the unique presentation of an art book. Some art books require more than gluing or stitching a front and back cover with a spine. It may need a special designed sleeve, portfolio or box to enhance its shape and size while preserving it for decades.

The shapes and sizes of art books is what makes the art world buzz. Artist who create use many two and three-dimensional styles to evoke the eye. Their design is considering the response of what they want from their audience. It may purposefully include touching and picking up the art book as a tactile engaging experience. Some pieces are the opposite, where gloves need to be worn to protect its beauty and longevity. Art books can be made one of a kind or a numbered edition sharing the books value with the audience.

The audience just as diverse in this art world, too. Private collectors have been building their own unique library specifically for art books. Some see it as a valuable art form worth investing money in. Public and private libraries and museums have a budget to acquire art books and are building very large collections. Specialty bookstores allocate money for their rare book collections. Collecting art in book form has led to podcast interviews created to share all the aspects of this art world. Having access to this opens the range up to enthusiasts of all ages.

Having a vast age range in a book arts world has many programs allowing the individual to choose a specific part of it engaging. If a person wants to learn how to create paper, print, book bind, etc. workshops are accessible to teach the process. Colleges like Mills college in California, offer a master in fine arts in book arts. These visual practices have inspired nonprofit groups to organize book fairs to house a cooperating network of this vast collective of artmakers who exhibit their works for the public to engage.

One book fair that is held biennially in Richmond, California called Codex has a collective of artmakers from 26 countries. The fair is open for four days and open to the public. Housed in this venue is where all the action happens. This art world melds together thousands of individuals engaging in a visual experience. There are 219 tables set up with exhibitors and it takes days to engage and go through the experience. The interaction of the audience with the exhibitors can be brief or so intriguing that time flies from stopping at just one table.

Engaging the audience with the story of who, what, where, when and why an art book came into existence is  a very important factor for this art world. From the conception of the art book which can be solely the artist or a collaboration with others and what it takes to create it, relies on many participants who are skilled in each part of the process has a large part in the reception. These are all important choices that encapsulate one book and help preserve its future existence for other generations. As the art world evolves one book can become a representation for a genre that fits in perfectly with standards and sensibilities of who promotes it.