Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of studio arts. Courses are normally topics on an area of current artistic or technical concern led by a specialist in the field.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.

Artists' books, combining fine art and publishing, are intrinsic to the practice of many contemporary artists. This course is an introduction to the practical skills involved in this printed medium, encouraging individual expression through the realization of an artist’s book. Students will engage with the format through making a series of projects, while analyzing the history and critical thought in the field. The course aims to guide students in developing ideas in bound book form, considering the synthesis of visual, textual, and material elements.

The course encompasses both digital and analog techniques including drawing, collage, printmaking, and image manipulation. Elements of design such as basic editing, structure, and layout for publication will also be covered. A survey of traditional binding techniques, including folded, sewn, and adhesive, will also be covered. Students will build upon these foundational skills to develop experimental approaches for their final project.

This course introduces the book as a fine art practice. Through a series of five projects students will engage directly with both the historical traditions and contemporary possibilities of this medium. The course culminates in the realization of an artists’ book as the final project. The other four projects emphasize different means for utilizing the unique format of the hand-bound book in each student’s artistic practice. These projects incorporate a range of techniques including drawing, collage, graphic design, and printmaking. Students will create content for their book and learn technical specifications to prepare digital files for printing.

In-class demonstrations accompany each project giving students context for the material process and guiding the development of their own ideas. The course will examine historical examples from a range of different periods and styles, with a specific focus on contemporary artists’ books.

As students gain capability and confidence with fundamental bookbinding skills, they are encouraged to explore self-directed book making. The final project involves the creation of each student’s own unique artists´ book. Students will need to spend additional time outside of class to complete projects and can access the studio during opening hours, announced during the first week.

This course makes use of Moodle as an additional learning platform. Project guidelines, informational handouts, and readings are made available on the course´s Moodle page, which students should check weekly.

Material will be provided by JCU for a participation fee of 75 Euros per student.

Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of studio arts. Courses are normally topics on an area of current artistic or technical concern led by a specialist in the field.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

SCHEDULE

Week 1

Introduction to artists´ books, including historical and artistical analysis as well as primary consideration of the organization of visual narrative, construction, and printed matter. Analysis of visual examples of famous artists' books with a focus on the 21st century.

Week 2

Project 1: Image-led Publication

Phase I: Form, Narrative, Structure. First thoughts and structural sketches for the individual book. Individual presentation and discussion of project ideas.

Week 3

Project 1: Image-led Publication

Phase II: Materials and Techniques. Introduction to various printing methods and paper as well as bookbinding tools, focusing specifically on the techniques of the pamphlet and running stitch.

Week 4

Project 2: Book Cover

Consideration of the front and back book cover as well as cover interior of artist´s books. Focus on layout and design. Analysis of visual examples of famous artists' books covers and interiors.

Week 5

Project 3: Visual Material. Embedding Images: Analogue.

First realization and collection of visual material for book´s content. Concentration on the creation of analogue imaginary using various techniques, like drawing, painting, printing, collageing. Analysis of visual examples of relevant artists´ techniques to use as inspiration and concrete reference.

Week 6

Project 3: Visual Material. Embedding Images: Digital.

Initial realization and collection of visual material for book content. Concentration on the creation of digital imagery using various techniques, such as image manipulation,

digital drawing, digital found footage, and digitalizing previously created or collected analogue material.

Week 7

Typography. Introduction to printed text, its historical origins, and artistic appearance and usage. Basic introduction to typography and text, considering fonts and page layout for the individual project.

Week 8

Mid-term Critique and review of the work done so far during class.

Week 9

Workflow. Finalizing the project concentrating on the covers and content. Field research on design, format, and structure: Visit to Biblioteca Angelica or Biblioteca Hertziana for inspiration and information.

Week 10

Project 4: Image-led Pamphlet

Printing a pamphlet using four pages from the Image-led Publication. Consideration of test print to be discussed as a group exchanging constructive critique.

Week 11

Project 4: Image-led Pamphlet

Preparing files for print and finalizing design and layout of the individual Image-led projects.

Week 12

Project 5: Final Book

Workflow. Repurposing files for an online version of the project (PDF). Finalizing choices of paper and printed matter.

Week 13

Project 5: Final Book

Workflow. Printing and binding the final project for the Artist Book Course (part 1).

Week 14

Project 5: Final Book

Workflow. Printing and binding the final project for the Artist Book Course (part 2).

Week 15

Examination: final course evaluation.

OVERVIEW OF COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Larry Rivers and Frank O’Hara in Stones (1960)

Louise Bourgeois and Arthur Miller in Homely Girl, a Life (1992)

Barbara Kruger and Stephen King in My Pretty Pony (1988)

Matisse’s famous Jazz (1947)

Marcel Duchamp’s La Mariée mise à nu par ses célibaraires, meme (the Green Box, 1934)

Josef Albers’ Articulation (1972)

Ruscha’s Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963)