Das Künstlerbuch

Artists’ books are hybrid works, often blurring the boundaries; grounded in the familiar form of the book, they simultaneously function as autonomous works of art. Drawing on a wide range of examples, Viola Hildebrand-Schat’s compendium explores the medium with all its design-related, historical and theoretical dimensions. She discusses definitions and terminology, addressing matters such as technical conditions, concepts of authorship, and modes of reception.

Case studies illustrate the interplay between materiality, artistic practice, and the structure of the medium. By analysing functions and processes of transformation, this publication distinguishes artist’s books from visually related formats like photobooks and graphic novels. A practice-oriented section on methodology introduces approaches to make this hybrid medium tangible.