FEBRUARY 26-28, 2021
The 2021 Contemporary Artists’ Books Conference (CABC) will focus on “The Temperature of Art Book Criticism and Scholarship.” As the scale of participation in and range of approaches to artists’ books and publishing have blossomed in recent years, now is a key time to develop new critical tools for assessing artists’ books and their broader impact on the cultural and artistic practice. Artists’ book criticism in the 21st century must contend not only with the book as an artistic medium, but also art books’ engagement with a range of cultural histories and publishing traditions.
Across 7 panels representing artists, scholars, writers from across the globe and from a wide range of backgrounds, the conference will explore these questions and look to progress the conversations on what artist book criticism and discourse can be. The subjects covered will include the roles of institutions, how artist books are functioning in times of crisis, perspectives on insider vs. outsider makers and marginalized communities, and the book in the face of oppression and censorship.
2021 EVENTS
Books on Places & Books from Places. An Unbalanced Equation
-Feb 26, 2021 at 10:30 am EST
Some of the most recognized artists’ books dealing with geographical regions were not made by an artist from that place. This round table will analyze the problematic relationship epitomized in such books. It will explore the breadth of these photobooks depicting countries including India, Cuba, or Nigeria, prioritizing photobooks made with artistic intent (as opposed to photographic travel books).
With Briony Anne Carlin, Moritz Neumüller, Nelson de Arrellano, Azu Nwagbogu.
Artist’s Book Criticism Beyond the Book
-Feb 26, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST
As more artists’ books are exhibited, it is increasingly important to understand how the institutional context in which they are shown, from bookstore spaces to museum vitrines, helps and hinders criticism in the field. This panel aims to extend criticism beyond the individual book and address the interconnected institutions and power structures that form the field of contemporary artists’ books.
With Aaron Cohick, Johanna Drucker, Megan N. Liberty, Levi Sherman.
Critical Convening on Terminology and Contextualizing Historic Material
-Feb 26, 2021 at 5:00 pm EST
How does inadequate, inconsistent, or unclear terminology limit our ability to write critically about artist’s books? How can and should we recontextualize historical artist’s books? After a brief introduction, we invite you to join the founders of BAR and a group of international guests in this convening as we split into small breakout groups to explore these questions and work on developing recommendations.
With Megan N. Liberty, Corina Reynolds, Levi Sherman, David Solo, Vivian Sming.
Content through Structure
-Feb 27, 2021 at 12:00 pm EST
With an artist’s book, content and form are interwoven. This panel will provide critical focus to the artist’s book as object, its place within the art world and the constructs of language around it.
With John Haber, Pablo Helguera, Maddy Rosenberg, Miriam Schaer, Mary Ting.
Urgent Publishing After the Artist’s Book
-Feb 27, 2021 at 1:30 pm EST
Publishing has always been political, but has it ever felt as urgent as it does right now, in the global distress and intersecting crises of the past year? How can publishing be used in movements towards liberation?
With Paul Soulellis.
Zine Steganography
-Feb 27, 2021 at 3:30 pm EST
How do you share a zine in places where sharing ideas is dangerous? We will consider the fraught relationship between zines and book criticism through the artists’ decisions to camouflage their text-works as part of larger socially-engaged projects and digital installations.
With Josue Chavez, Bidi Choudhury, Kira Simon-Kennedy, An Xiao Mina, Mikail Wright.
Critical Convening on Approaches to Criticism for Activist Material as Artist’s Books and Publishing as Practice
-Feb 27, 2021 at 5:00 pm EST
Is a different framework needed for artist’s books with activist purposes? What role does the publisher of an artist’s book play in content creation? What is needed to write critically about publishing as artistic practice? After a brief introduction, we invite you to join the founders of BAR and a group of international guests in this convening as we split into small breakout groups to explore these questions and work on developing recommendations.
With Megan N. Liberty, Corina Reynolds, David Solo.
Outsider Book Arts
-Feb 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm EST
How do the book object and magazine build and nurture communities outside of institutional frameworks? This panel looks at contemporary and historical approaches to alternative publishing practices.
With Meghan Forbes, Sherese Francis, Christina Long.
Nine Artists | Nine Months | Nine Perspectives
-Feb 28, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST
Centered on the conception and gestation of a collaborative artists’ book project, this panel looks at the book as an instrument of resiliency and object of desire for African Americans once denied the right to read, write, and own their narratives.
With Adjoa Burrowes, Julee Dickerson-Thompson, Pamela Harris Lawton, Francine Haskins, Gail Shaw-Clemons, Andrea Kohashi.
Closing Plenary: The Temperature of Artists Book Criticism
-Feb 28, 2021 at 4:30 pm EST
The sessions and convenings over the past 3 days have explored a range of lessons and ideas around what artist book criticism and discourse is and can be. Join the CABC committee and other session speakers as they share and discuss their key takeaways from the conference and engage with the audience to further refine tangible actions for the community to take.
register here
2021 CABC Committee:
Nicholas Coblence (Cultural Strategy)
Sarah Hamerman (Princeton University Library)
James Mitchell (Cooper Union)
Corina Reynolds (Center for Book Arts)
Giana Ricci (New York University)
David Solo (Independant Researcher)
About CABC
Initiated in 2008, the Contemporary Artists’ Book Conference presents in depth talks, panels, and conversations to further the critical dialog surrounding artists’ books. Now organized by Center for Book Arts, the CABC committee is made up of historians and professionals in the field, sessions will cover a range of lively topics from artists, scholars, and other leading figures.
The Contemporary Artists’ Book Conference is held in conjunction with Printed Matter’s Art Book Fairs. The 2021 fair is scheduled to take place virtually in February 25-28, 2021 at Printed Matter’s Virtual Art Book Fair.
THE CURATOR SHIP 