The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University presents an exhibition featuring the “new book,” as defined by contemporary art practices, successful experiments with media, and innovative structures in book production. The Art of the Book in California: Five Contemporary Presses continues through August 28, and includes some of the most significant works from each press, with approximately 50 works in all.
“During the last 50 years, the conception and production of the book has evolved into an art form that exceeds all former standards for the book as object. Book arts have become a mature medium, and California artists and printers are leaders in the fine arts of the book,” said Roberto G. Trujillo, head of Stanford Library’s Department of Special Collections, which is lending works for this exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center. “We are pleased to share these exemplary works from our Special Collections for the exhibition, and we hope this display inspires viewers to come to the library to further explore this artisticmedium.”
The exhibition presents works by Foolscap Press (Peggy Gotthold and Lawrence G. Van Velzer) of Santa Cruz; Moving Parts Press (Felicia Rice) of Santa Cruz; Ninja Press (Carolee Campbell) of Sherman Oaks; Peter Koch Printers (Peter Rutledge Koch) of Berkeley; and Turkey Press (Harry and Sandra Reese) of Isla Vista. Each press is unique, and each produces books and related art with a rich variety of content and media, often in collaboration with other artists and writers and often incorporating their own writing and art practices. All five presses are distinguished by their typographic sophistication, excellent design, discerning presswork, and attention to the bookbinder’s art.
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