The University Libraries at USD is presenting “Bound and Unbound VI,” a biennial international altered book exhibition, juried by artist, professor and journalist Melissa Stern. The exhibition will be on display on the second floor of the I.D. Weeks Library and online through January 3, 2022.
Stern has worked in sculpture, photography and drawing for over 30 years. Her work is featured in prominent collections, including those of News Corporation, J.P. Morgan/Chase, the Arkansas Art Center, and the Library of Congress.
Stern selected 43 works from 31 artists for the exhibition.
“The question that kept coming to mind as I reviewed the images for the exhibition was what led each artist to choose the book that they did? Were the choices random, purposeful, emotional or calculated?” Stern said in a press release. “And then in turn, did the alteration of the book reflect the content, run in parallel to it or contradict it?”
Sarah Hanson-Pareek, curator of Digital Projects and Photographs at the University Libraries, said in a press release the exhibition saw 13 returning artists from previous years in addition to 19 new artists.
The works are available both in the library and online. Hanson-Pareek said the online version provides an enhanced exhibition experience.
“(Online), one can see every page in the work,” Hanson-Pareek said in a press release.
“Bound and Unbound VI” is available for viewing online in the Digital Library of South Dakota as well as in the exhibition cases on the second floor of the library.
