ALTERED BOOKS- Ongoing Assignment
What is an altered book? An altered book is an art object created from an existing book that has been transformed through painting, drawing, collage, rubber stamping, tearing, cutting, or any creative means. The artist altering the book may choose a theme or topic to explore or simply begin creating within the book’s pages using the book as a type of canvas for ideas. The goal is to create an object of self-expression rather than a functional work. Altered books are actually an old way of recycling. In the 11th Century Italian monks recycled old manuscripts written on vellum by scraping off the ink and adding new text and illustrations on top of the old. This was known as “Palimpsest.” In the late 19th century people used old books as a sort of scrapbook, pasting on its pages items from magazines, personal recipes, and family pictures.
Grading Criteria
Materials/ Techniques: The materials and techniques used to create altered books are as varied as the artists themselves. Here are some of the items that might be used:
Themes of Altered Book: You will select a book for your altered book and choose a THEME for your book. You will be creating artwork through the book that reflects this theme or storyline.
Check out these websites to see examples by contemporary altered book artists for inspirations:
What is an altered book? An altered book is an art object created from an existing book that has been transformed through painting, drawing, collage, rubber stamping, tearing, cutting, or any creative means. The artist altering the book may choose a theme or topic to explore or simply begin creating within the book’s pages using the book as a type of canvas for ideas. The goal is to create an object of self-expression rather than a functional work. Altered books are actually an old way of recycling. In the 11th Century Italian monks recycled old manuscripts written on vellum by scraping off the ink and adding new text and illustrations on top of the old. This was known as “Palimpsest.” In the late 19th century people used old books as a sort of scrapbook, pasting on its pages items from magazines, personal recipes, and family pictures.
Grading Criteria
- Effort - You put in your best effort. You did NOT solely rely on materials from class. Completed all required pages on itme.You challenged yourself and thought outside the box.
- Techniques-Used variety of marterials and/ or technques throught the book.
- Creativity- The execution of your pages is extremely creative. You used a variety of textures, patterns, words, images, etc. to represent your theme. You altered your pages in some surprising ways without rushing through it.
- Use of materials- Materials were put away at the end of each class period. You did not waste any materials and returned items that you were done using. You respectfully cleaned up your mess.
Materials/ Techniques: The materials and techniques used to create altered books are as varied as the artists themselves. Here are some of the items that might be used:
- Stamps and stamp pads
- Assorted papers
- Fabric pieces
- Collage items: dog tags, charms, game pieces, buttons
- Cut out letters
- Stickers
- Hole punches
- Ribbon lace
- Magazine cutouts
- Ink or marker drawings
- Water-colored images
- Circled words or phrases from the book
- Your own handwriting
- Envelopes glued to pages and decorate
Themes of Altered Book: You will select a book for your altered book and choose a THEME for your book. You will be creating artwork through the book that reflects this theme or storyline.
- Nature
- Political or social issue
- Buildings/Architecture
- My life
- Food
- Metamorphosis
- Time
- Space
- Poetry or Literature
- Transportation
- Friends
- Music
- Magic
- Culture
- Quotations
- Fairy tales and folklore
- Time travel
- Identity
- Communication
- Reflection
- Art
- Exploration
Check out these websites to see examples by contemporary altered book artists for inspirations:
- http://www.susanlenz.com/Gallery/altered_books.shtml
- https://johnclinockart.com/tag/altered-book-artists/
- https://karenswhimsy.com/altered_books/
- https://isobelleouzman.com/altered-books/
- http://gomakesomething.com/category/ht/ab (techniques)