Joseph Kosuth. On the Phenomenon of the Library, 2006
The Artist’s Library, currently on view at the Centre international d’art et du paysage de l’ile de Vassiviere, features work by 9 contemporary artists whose work centers around the book.
“The Artist’s Library represents a ‘Library of Babel’ like that born in the visionary mind of the great Argentinean writer J. L. Borges. Artists and spectators become its librarians”
This seminal exhibition is curated by Carrie Pilto and consumes all of the Aldo Rossi designed building. The bookshop, the theater, the reading room, the cafe have all become part of the “library.”
The artists featured are Carol Bove, Claire Fontaine, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Thomas Hirschhorn, Joseph Kosuth, Maria Pask, Martha Rosler Library publications, Peter Wüthrich and Nina Katchadourian; basically, an a-list of contemporary artists who work with the book.
Thomas Hirschhorn from « Restore now », 2006“Rules of the game: each of the works integrates the book as a ‘readymade’ or found object. In this way, books are valued not only for their content but also as objects of formal beauty. Some maintain the books’ status as books, offering a framework in which to read the selected volumes. Others transform them, physically or conceptually, into works of art – to contemplate but no longer touch. These works may only suggest, by a cover, title, or citation, the meaning inside. Books become tools, building blocks, weapons, databases…”
Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster. Reading Rug (Dystopia), 2007
L’amour de Dieu brickbat, La fin du Monde brickbat, Le jour dernier brickbat…
This is exciting stuff.
The Artist’s Library press release
Previous Book Patrol posts:
Thomas Hirschhorn
Martha Rosler
Nina Katchadourian