Artists' Books and Related Multiples

Contemporary Artists' Books

A selection of representative examples of contemporary (post-1960), inexpensive, artists' books and related multiples are acquired and maintained as a study collection. Collecting emphasis is on recent publications. There are no subject, language, or format restrictions for artists' books and related multiples. The collection includes examples of a variety of reproduction processes, subjects (political, documentary, conceptual), and physical presentations (materials, bindings).

Special areas of collecting interest are works that use photographic imagery or integrate actual photographs into the work, books with unusual bindings (styles or materials), books that use handmade paper, books that incorporate three dimensional or movable elements, books or multiples by significant contemporary artists, and books or multiples by RIT students, faculty, and alumni.

Records for all artists' books and multiples are included in the library catalog. Artists' books are assigned the RARE locator, are classed at N7433.4, shelved together (except for oversize items), and are assigned the Library of Congress subject heading "Artists' Books."

• 15 Sample Artists' Books described and illustrated.

Livres d'artistes

The small collection of livres d'artistes was established with a gift from the Martin S. Ackerman Foundation in 1982 and is maintained as a study collection. There are no subject, language, date, or format restrictions. Contemporary works in English are favored, however. The collection includes examples of a variety of reproduction processes, subjects, and physical presentations.

Works are fully cataloged and assigned the RARE locator and Library of Congress call numbers based on their content--they are not shelved together in the stacks.

• 4 Sample Livres d'artistes described and illustrated.