FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2008
Contact: Hillary McMahan
Birke Art Gallery Director
Marshall University
Phone: (304) 696-2296
Email: mcmahanh@marshall.edu
BOOK MARKS ’08 EXHIBITION WILL BRING AN ENGAGING, ACCESSIBLE CONTEMPORARY ART FORM TO MARSHALL UNIVERSITY’S BIRKE ART GALLERY
What are book arts? What are artist’s books?
Miriam Schaer
Not With a Club the Heart is Broken
The terms “book arts” and “artist’s books” are used more or less interchangeably in the contemporary visual art world. Artist’s books are original or limited edition works of art that are realized in book form. Book artists often interpret the book form loosely, and they may employ a variety of “book” formats—such as scrolls, accordion fold-outs, or even individual works on paper contained in a box. For most people, artist’s books more unfamiliar than traditional art media like painting and sculpture, but the art form is an especially engaging and accessible one. Artist’s books are often interactive, and the viewer is encouraged to touch, handle, and “read” the artwork.
Exhibition description and dates
Book Marks ’08 will feature established and emerging artists in the field of contemporary book arts, while also showcasing rare and limited-edition traditional books from the Morrow Library and a local private collection. Contemporary book artists exhibiting in Book Marks ’08 are Miriam Schaer, Andrea Deszo, Jim Bailey, Doug Beube, Carrie Lingscheit, Rebecca Gilbert, and Maddy Rosenberg. Marshall art faculty members Peter Massing and Byron Clercx will also exhibit book works.
The exhibition’s featured artist is Miriam Schaer from Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Schaer creates witty sculptural books that push the boundaries of the book, pulling viewers into their narratives with unexpected textures and forms.
Book Marks ’08 will open on Monday, February 11, 2008. The exhibition will run through March 6, 2008. The Birke Art Gallery is open to the public and is located on the Marshall University campus in Smith Hall. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m.
Event details
Featured artist Miriam Schaer will present a public lecture in conjunction with the exhibition. The public presentation will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2008, at 7 p.m., in Smith Hall room 154 adjacent to the Birke Art Gallery. The lecture and exhibition are both free and open to the public.
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