Kunstnerboken - Codex Polaris, Kristiansand Kunsthall, Kristiansand
ARKIR Book Arts Group (IS), Susanna Autio (FI), Crow Press (NO), Michal Czinege (SK/FI), Olle Essvik (SE), Carina Fihn (SE), Karin Hald (DK), Halden Bookworks (NO), Eeva-Liisa Isomaa (FI), Thomas Iversen (NO), Kurt Johannessen (NO), Sarah Jost (SE/NO), Kamilla Jørgensen (DK), Ane Thon Knutsen (NO), Margrethe Kühle (DK/NO), Hans Ragnar Mathisen (NO), Terje Nicolaisen (NO), Lina Nordenström (SE), Mágnus Pálsson (IS), Karen Pettersen (NO), Pist Protta (DK), Sandborg+Higgins (NO/UK), Kimmo Schroderus (FI), Marja-Leena Sillanpää (SE), Emilia Tanner (FI), Richard Årlin (SE).
In collaboration with Kristiansand public library, we are proud to present an exhibition of artists' books from the Nordic region. The exhibition Kunstnerboken: unique and diverse is curated by the artist group Codex Polaris.
Artist books have seen great growth in the last decade. Art book fairs and small publishers that have appeared in Norway, the Nordic countries and the rest of the world are clear expressions of this. Unlike painting and sculpture, the book, as we know it today, intends to diversify its content, and thus has a historical connection to the development of democracy and freedom of expression. But the book can also be seen in a longer line with roots in myths and religious narratives, both as a sacred and unique object.
Livre d'artist, book art, book object, artist's books, book works, book art, artist's books. Dear child has many names; the genre is multifaceted and cannot easily be "specified". "Artist's book" is the term most commonly used in Norwegian for all kinds of books where an artist is behind them, regardless of production method, edition and publisher. Today's artist books come in a wide range from mass-produced to unique works of art. The various books' life courses and opportunities therefore differ greatly in terms of production, display, dissemination and collection. The artist's book: uniquely and diversely thematizes the field in a Nordic perspective and focuses on books and book-related works of art which, due to unique craftsmanship qualities, experimental formats or special concepts, can be better conveyed in a gallery space than in ordinary distribution channels for "ordinary" books.
Today's enormous consumption of text and images through screen-based media is perhaps one reason why many artists want to explore the physical, visual and conceptual possibilities of the book format. The exhibition shows both books that in terms of format and content correspond to our expectations of a book, and works that have more metaphorical connections to the book. Richard Årlin can be seen in the perspective of tradition. He makes everything himself, from paper, lead types, images, text and binding. While Thomas Iversen goes the opposite way. He uses the libraries' shredded books to shape new objects. Eeva-Liisa Isomaa shows a large poetic installation with handmade books. Sarah Jost combines the sculptural with video performance, and Kamilla Jørgensen presents iconic books in a completely new form.
