WHAT IS AN ARTIST'S BOOK?

"…a book is done for its own sake and not for the information it contains. That is: it doesn’t contain a lot of works, like a book of poems. It is a work. Its design and format reflect it’s content — they intermerge, interpenetrate. It might be any art: art artist’s book could be music, photography, graphics, intermedial literature. The experience of reading it, viewing it, framing it — that is what the artist stresses in making it." Wrote Dick Higgins, in A Preface, for Artists Books, Joan Lyons.

The Lab

The lab hosts workshops and visiting artists including, François Deschamps, Karen Hanmer, Keith Smith, Scott McCarney, Julie Chen, Clifton Meador, Barb Tetenbaum, Inge Bruggeman, and Bruce Licher to name a few recent visitors.

The lab is also the home to the student group—The Book Art Collective. This student club is actively involved in the lab, producing art work, meeting and planning events centered on the book.

Both Graduate and Undergraduate classes convene here throughout the year.

The Location

The Letterpress and Book Art Lab is located at 1035 Mabel Street just across from the UA School of Art Graduate Studios.

The Equipment

5 Vandercooks (Universal 1, Universal 1AB, SP-15, No. 2, 219), Pilot Press, and Chandler Price 8x12 OS. There is a large collections of metal and wood type. There are also two board shears, 2 book presses,and 2 guillotines. Additionally there is access to a photo polymer plate maker and digital studios.

For more information about the facility, please contact:
Karen Zimmermann: kzim@email.arizona.edu