Altered Books

Altered Books
January 18 – March 29, 2008

What happens to a book when it outlives its purpose on a shelf? If it falls into the right hands, it is transformed into an art object that may or may not resemble its original form as a book. Early in 2008 a series of exhibitions throughout Minneapolis showcased altered books created by national artists as well as members of the Twin Cities community.

View a sampling of images from this exhibition. Refresh the page for another sampling, or visit MCBA on Flickr to view the full album.

Earlier that year, the Exhibition Review Committee of the Minneapolis Public Library expressed a desire to host an altered books exhibition at Central Library and sponsor a community-wide series of altered books workshops and exhibitions at multiple sites. An Altered Book Committee was formed and members began reaching out across the community to involve artists and organizations. Collaborators with the Minneapolis Public Library include Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis Public Schools, Homewood Studios, and mnartists.org. Two of the collaborators – MCBA and Homewood Studios in North Minneapolis – hosted altered book exhibitions as well as workshops.

Included in the project was a juried exhibition in the Cargill Hall gallery at the Minneapolis Centeral Library. Betty Bright, a book arts historian and independent curator, evaluated and selected submissions from a national call for artists for this altered books exhibition.