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ArtistsBooks
Star Book by Monika Antonelli. 2004.
Artists' Books
Book as art object. Looking at the book beyond just being a container for words. Artistic information objects.
All of these phrases have been used to describe artists' books, and all are equally correct. Artists' books can defy description and categorization, and yet have several elements in common. In general, artists' books must be more than just text, but must somehow become an artwork - either through combinations of text and images, fine or unusual bindings, or unexpected formats that engage the viewer. Often, artists' books are of limited editions, or may be unique items. A good artists' book will truly be "more than words on a page, and pages within covers."
The Friends of the UNT Libraries' Artists' Books Competition and Exhibition
Every odd-numbered year, the Friends of the UNT Libraries sponsor an Artists' Book Competition late in the fall semester. Selected entries, past winners, and artists' books from the holdings of the Rare Book and Texana Collections are then exhibited the following January and February.
History
In 1999, the Friends of the UNT Libraries sponsored the first Artists' Books Competition, inspired by an artists' book that had been acquired in the mid-1990's. That book, entitled 1:31 a.m., by Gilbert Peña is now considered the 1st artists' book in our collections. At the reception honoring the winners of the first competition, over 100 people attended, viewing the entries and other artists' books in our holdings. Every other year since then, the Friends have continued to sponsor the competition and exhibition, and a reception honoring the winners.
Purpose
Since the beginning, the purpose of the competition and exhibition has been to "encourage developing student's work in the medium of Artists' Books, to foster the creation of Artists' Books, reward excellence and creativity in the medium of Artists' Books, and to build the collection of Artists' Books in the UNT Rare Book Room and Texana Collections." Purchase prizes awarded to certain entries have enabled the Friends of the UNT Libraries to add to the collection of artists' books in our holdings, and have encouraged talented artists at the beginning of their career.
Purchase Award
Should the jurors choose to, a purchase prize can be awarded to one of the entrants. This award, provided by the Friends of the UNT Libraries, allows the chosen item to be acquired for the Rare Book & Texana Collections, helping to accomplish the intent of the Friends and to expand our holdings of artists' books.
Past Competitions
Selected works from past competitions can be viewed by following the links below:
1999/2000 2001/2 2003/4 2005/6