How far can you push the functionality of a book (text, paper, binding, information exchange, portability) before it's no longer JUST a book, but something more: an art object?

"Books are emotional objects. They have the ability to educate us, to open our minds, to transport us to other places and times. Favorite books sometimes even change their shapes, becoming dog-eared, losing pages. Though the form may change, the function remains the same. Books Outside the Binding explores the world of contemporary artists' books, a world that challenges and re-interprets the traditional book form.

The artists represented in this exhibit come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are drawn to the book as a vessel for ideas and information. Pages may be made of paper, fabric, or bottle caps; covers may be wood or ceramic; bindings may be sewn or loose. Stories are told not only through text on a page, but through the materials, the structure, and the form of the book. In this context, even a blank page can reveal meaning.

Books Outside the Binding encourages us to explore our emotional attachment to the book as an object, and to expand our perceptions of the traditional book form." —Brea Black & Zan Popp, Curators

For a simple introduction to the process of letterpress, a form of printmaking used in many of the books on display, we filmed this demonstration by University of Kansas Lecturer of Foundations and Letterpress, Linda Samson-Talleur. The video is silent.

RELATED PROGRAMMING / *call 785-580-4515 to sign up

Dec 5: First Friday Reception | 5:30-8:30 PM | Sabatini Gallery
Dec 11: History of the Book | 7:00-8:30 PM | Marvin 101A
Dec 16: White Gloves Tour | 2:00-4:00 PM | registration required*
Dec 18: Letterpress, A History | 7:00-8:30 PM | Marvin 101A
Jan 2: First Friday Reception | 5:30-8:30 PM | Sabatini Gallery
Jan 8: Artist Talk with Alicia Bailey | 7:00-8:30 PM | Marvin 101B
Jan 29: White Gloves Tour | 7:00-8:45 PM | registration required*
Feb 5: Artist Talk with Lisa Beth Robinson | 7:00-8:30 PM | Marvin 101B

Participating Artists: Alicia Bailey, Aleta Braun, Doug Beube, Sarah Bryant, Melisa Cadell, Julie Chen, Johanna Drucker, Robert Ebendorf, Daniel Essig, Peggy Gotthold, Linda K. Johnson, Ronald King, Karen Kunc, Julie Leonard, Kristy Lewis, Marlene MacCallum, Scott McCarney, Sharon McCartney, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Liz Mitchell, Heidi Nielson, Audrey Niffenegger, C. Mikal Oness, Pamela Paulsrud, Lisa Beth Robinson, Linda Samson-Talleur, Donald Sexauer, Robbin Silverberg, Dolph Smith, Stephanie Mahan Stigliano, Barbara Tetenbaum, Lawrence Van Velzer, Claire Van Vliet, Shu-Ju Wang, Jim Westergard, Heather Weston. To see more books, visit Vamp & Tramp for all the latest creations and artist biographies.