Constructing the codex
(Trisha Buckley)
Purpose
Students will consider the relevance of the traditional codex in the 21st century.
Description
Students engage in activities relating to the history of the book, understanding the purpose of text, book formats and comment on the future of the book.
Additionally, students will study the concept of artists' books, being asked to consider books as art. As they research, students will be asked to collect and create a range of responses through the use of electronic content - digital images, scanners, the internet and visual documentation.
Each student will complete an artist's book which reflects their personal belief about how books will exist in the future.
Procedure
This six week unit is the result of collaboration between teacher-librarian and art teacher. It combines the two distinct elements that comprise artists' books: art practice and the book.
Teachers will need some knowledge of the history of books, as well as a thorough understanding of artists' books.
The lesson plans are developed sequentially allowing every students' knowledge to build with each activity. Each will be encouraged to reflect upon the content in a formative and challenging response, imagining the future for books. Hopefully, this will be an exciting prospect for them!
Resources
Websites
- Artists' books sourcebook module [new window
1.4 MB] - An Artists' books: Ken Campbell [new window]
- The book arts web [new window]
Books
- Bodman, S 2005, Printmaking handbook: creating artists' books, A & C Black, London.
- LaPlantz, Shereen 1995, Cover to cover: Creative techniques for making beautiful books, journals and albums, Lark Books, Sterling Publishing, New York
Last updated: 29th September 2011
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