26 April 2011
Artists' books celebrated in new exhibition
A selection of rare artists' books will go on display in Dundee this weekend as part of the re-launch of a unique research,
production and teaching hub.
The cabin:codex exhibition gives exposure to over 100 artists’ books from the collection of the Centre for Artists Books (CAB). CAB
is housed in the Visual Research Centre, a part of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design which is located on the lower floors of
Dundee Contemporary Arts.
Artists’ books are defined as works of art realised in the form of a book. Created either entirely by the artist or with extensive
input from them, artists’ books are normally published in small editions or as one-offs referred to as uniques.
A wide range of techniques and forms, including scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas or boxed loose items as bound printed sheet, have been employed in the production of artists’ books.
CAB is a space dedicated solely to artists’ books, the first combined archive and exhibition space of its kind in the UK. The Centre
holds a collection of over 1,200, including books from renowned artists and small publishing presses, and explores all aspects of the
medium. It aims to publish its own titles and establish itself as a leading resource for presentation, production, research and
learning.
cabin:codex is co-curated by Exhibitions at DJCAD and artist David Faithfull. Curator of Exhibitions Sophia Hao explained that it
will showcase more than 100 books and multiples from the CAB collections, which will be presented as an open display and available for
handling by gallery visitors.
'This exhibition will definitely be a feast for both art lovers and book lovers,' she said. 'It is an unusual opportunity to enjoy
these distinctive and uniquely made art objects that also carry insightful and inspirational thoughts by world-class artists.
'The artists’ books included in the exhibition reflect on two inter-related but opposing ‘landscape’ themes; the Urban and the
Feral, and are presented in a specifically designed and installed environment to enhance the visitor’s experience.
'During the preview night and closing event, a series of live performances will expand the act of reading and the notion of the
book beyond the printed page.'
The exhibition will also include a newly commissioned artists’ book, TENT by Paul Noble, published on the occasion of his solo
exhibition of the same name which was held at DJCAD earlier this year. TENT extends the vista of Paul Noble’s epic project Nobson
Newtown and resonates with the narrative of the urban ‘cabin’.
A programme of live works responding to the notions of books and reading will take place at a preview event on Friday, 29th April
and the closing event on Friday, 27th May. The exhibition will be open on 12-4.30pm from Wednesdays-Sundays during that time.
Notes to editors:
- If you would like to interview the curators, please contact l.z.simpson@dundee.ac.uk to arrange.
- Images are available please contact Laura Simpson, l.z.simpson@dundee.ac.uk
- Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, DJCAD, is part of the University of Dundee.
- Opening hours for this exhibition: 30 April - 29 May, Wed - Sun. 12 - 4.30pm. Access is free.
- Preview is 29th April, 5-8pm, access to the exhibition and other events are free and open to all.
- Paul Noble has been commissioned by the Centre for Artists’ Books (CAB) relaunch project to produce a new artists’ book titled TENT.
- Visual Research Centre is part of DJCAD and is located on the lower floors of Dundee Contemporary Arts.
- The Centre for Artists’ Books (CAB) was established in 1999 and was the first combined archive and exhibition space of its kind
in the United Kingdom. It holds 1200 books from international and Scottish artists.
- VRC Publishing is a dedicated artists’ print facility located in Visual Research Centre
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
