Artists’ books in the digital age

Sowden, Tom

Abstract

Within the last 15 years there has been a rapid growth in artist book production. In part this has been due to increased awareness of the book as an art object which in turn influences teaching practice in art schools, but I believe it is also largely because of the advances in digital technology and the affordability of the equipment. The production and dissemination of books, be they physical or virtual, has become easier, faster and cheaper. This paper is about how various artists have used digital technologies in the production of their books and how the Internet has changed, and continues to change, the fabrication and distribution of artists’ books. It is also about how, as these technologies evolve, they are changing the nature of what a book can be for both artists and also mainstream publishers.

• Conference Name: Doverodde Book Arts Festival and Exhibitions
• Start Date: May 8, 2009
• End Date: May 8, 2009
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 156-161
• Book Title: Impact 6 Proceedings
• ISBN: 978-1-906501-03-7
• Keywords: artists’ books publishing, digital art, production
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/960558
• Publisher URL: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/sca/research/cfpr/dissemination/conferences/impact.html
• Related Public URLs: http://artistbooks.ning.com/video/oe-cherry-blossom-island-tree; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlPHbK0qz4E; http://www.tomsowden.com; http://www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/dendov09.htm