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Artists' Books in Macalester College Library's Special Collections

This guide features a sampling of the artists' books available in the Macalester College Library Special Collections.

What is an "artists' book?"

Artists' books are works of art in which artists use the medium of books to create small print runs or one-of-a-kind objects. This medium can often stretch the imagination of what we consider a book.

How do I access the collection?

To view a more comprehensive list of our holdings in the Library Catalog, search for "artists' books."  

You can also contact us to schedule a visit.

Macalester College Library's Special Collections are open to all researchers. Affiliation with Macalester College is not required, but we do ask all researchers to provide their name, contact information, and general topic of research. Our Special Collections materials do not circulate, so materials must be used in our Reading Room on the 2nd floor of the DeWitt Wallace Library.

 

Selections from our collection

Lin Charleston's "Plants Can," 2009

"Plants can make their own food. Plants can live without people. As you turn the pages of this artist's book you may be reminded of unfurling petals or leaves. The book when wide open looks like a flower - or a sun. Is there a connection? Yes, plants have been using energy from the sun to make food from CO2 and H2O for millions of years. The structure of the book is based on a vegetable steamer, which completes the cycle - plants make the food, we eat the plants"--Artist's statement from Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America.