Artists’ Book
A work of art inspired by the form of a book, incorporating endless possible materials outside the frame of traditional bookmaking. While a written book is designed for reading, artists’ books require careful examination of the physical object itself as well as the text, including their unique shape, binding/housing, and the materials used.1
Altered Book
A work of art where a previously published book becomes the canvas (raw material) for an artist to manipulate. Pages can be cut away, painted over, folded or sculptured into other works of art. Altered books often retain the structure of a book, but may be transformed into an entirely different object.2
Book Art
An individual work of art based on the general properties of a book. This work may contain text and/or images, but can also be entirely sculptural and not meant for reading. When used in the plural sense, “book art” refers to the crafts and techniques involved in bookmaking. These can include bookbinding, papermaking, printing and typography. Both artists’ books and altered books fall under the area of book art. Other subfields include designer bookbinding and finepress books.3
Footnotes
1 Anne Evenhaugen, "What is an artist’s book?," Unbound, June 1, 2012, accessed August 20, 2018, https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2012/06/01/what-is-an-artists-book/#.W3thnsInbct
2 Debra Riley Parr, "What Is an Altered Book?," Fiberarts 32, no. 1 (Summer 2005): 23, Accessed August 20, 2018. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=aft&AN=505142009&site=eds-live&custid=s5672269
3 Betty Bright, ed., No Longer Innocent: Book Art in America 1960 - 1980 (New York, Granary Books, 2005), 2-3.
Image Source: "African Safari II" by Abecedarian Gallery is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0