“At a time when the notion of the book is challenged by the advent of the screen and computer, this exhibition aims to show the extraordinary ways in which the book has been treated by leading artists of today and the recent past. Blood on Paper will focus on new and contemporary work, and on books where the artist has been the driving force in conception and design.” –from the Introduction to the exhibit.
Most notable artists of the 20th and 21st century have used the book form as a vehicle. No matter what their primary artistic leaning (painting, sculpture, drawing, installation) is the conceptual framework of the book has drawn each into its grasp.
Anselm Kiefer The Secret Life of PlantsMany of the heavyweights of Modern Art are included in the show and the power of the book object shines through in works ranging from the grandeur of Anselm Kiefer’s ‘Secret Life of Plants’ to the minimalist work of Edward Ruscha and Sol Lewitt to the remains of conceptual artist Cai Guo Qiang’s piece ‘Danger Book: Suicide Fireworks’
Cai Guo Qiang ‘Danger Book: Suicide Fireworks‘The exhibit runs through June 28th at the Victoria & Albert Museum and is a must see for those planning to be or living in and around London.
The V&A’s worthy online feature on Artists’ Books.
Senior curator Dr. Rowan Watson’s essay on the exhibit (pdf).
Michael Glovers piece in the London Times, “Blood on Paper: art goes under covers.”
Selection of previous Book Patrol posts on Books and Artists :
‘The Book Gods of Contemporary Chinese Art’
‘Books to Be Desired : Penelope Umbrico’s Private Residence’
‘The Book That Didn’t Get Built‘
‘Contemporary Artists Tackle Their Favorite Books‘