PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bibliographic Performances & Surrogate Readings delves into the imaginative realm of books and libraries and the interpretive structures of subject bibliographies. It is the first monograph of its kind to historicize, theorize, and survey two decades of what the author refers to as contemporary visual bibliography or experimental subject bibliography—artistic and poetic projects that explore artifactual, intellectual, spatial, and design possibilities. Ranging from artists’ books and databases to stack interventions and reading room installations, Bibliographic Performances & Surrogate Readings reviews over fifty compelling visio-bibliographic examples created by diverse, international cultural workers.

The book’s design, writing, and navigational features are tightly interwoven. The concept was to create an inviting, intriguing design with playful decorative elements to engage with the book’s inventive content. The challenge was to make sense of lots of information without the design code looking too dry or academic.

The book has a fat yet airy book block and an interesting trim size for a good readerly handhold. The neon pink foil-stamped spiral design on the brown paper cover riffs on the title essay where subject bibliographies are described as dynamic and expandable thought models, with the potential to go deep and far.

The spirited interior pages utilize different typesetting logics for the text-heavy front matter and essays in part one, and the generously illustrated catalogue entries in part two. In the visual survey, each project entry begins with a mini bibliography conveyed in a typographical experiment. Navigational cues throughout offer the user multiple points of entry and ways of reading.

BOOK INFORMATION

Trim Size: 5.25 × 7.75 inches

Number of Pages: 354

Binding Method: Softcover with flaps

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CREDIT INFORMATION

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Book Designer: Margherita Sabbioneda

Jacket/Cover Designer: Margherita Sabbioneda

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Other Credits: Arnaud Desjardin - Publisher; Jon Boggs - Copy editor

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