Altered Books - Poems

August 23, 2005 3:36 PM

Books altered to create poetry. "Altered books" is an art form which transforms pages from old books into works of art. There is the International Society of Altered Book Artists and this art form was previously discussed here. These artists find the poems hidden in the text of the books. I particularly like Meghan Scott's work. via Jorn
posted by caddis (13 comments total)

Also, check out the work of Tom Phillips
http://www.rosacordis.com/humument/
posted by protocool at 4:06 PM on August 23, 2005

I was just about to mention the Humument, I see I was beaten to it!

It was also previously discussed here.

(I really enjoyed this post, thanks!)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:11 PM on August 23, 2005

Thanks, caddis. These are visually interesting, too, with the scribbling and color in the background.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 4:16 PM on August 23, 2005

Isn't that messing with prime fiction? *ducks to avoid pie*
posted by parallax7d at 4:28 PM on August 23, 2005

Burroughs did this a lot, didn't he? At least it seems like a lot of his text is cut up ... slightly different, but same general idea.

Very cool.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:38 PM on August 23, 2005

Also, check out the work of Tom Phillips http://www.rosacordis.com/humument/

Wow, really... Jill must have been delighted. I liked page 82.
posted by nervousfritz at 5:31 PM on August 23, 2005

these are very cool, caddis.
posted by brandz at 6:20 PM on August 23, 2005

These are neat. Thanks!
posted by unsweet at 6:31 PM on August 23, 2005

This reminds me of my favorite artist, Jiri Kolar. He spend his career cutting up paintings and books and putting them together.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 7:13 PM on August 23, 2005

Crispin Glover has been doing this for years

So have bored housewives, it's been a crafts craze for a
while now. They don't bother with the text or literary aspect though. They just cut the books up and glue cutsie
bits on pages to make sentimental trash and sticker covered
travesties.

I've enjoyed Crispin Glover's work for years. Especially his
quote about housework: it's pointless to clean house because after 4 years or so the dirt is as bad as it's going to get.
posted by bat at 7:38 PM on August 23, 2005

Books altered to create poetry. "Altered books" is an art form which transforms pages from old books into works of art. There is the International Society of Altered Book Artists and this art form was previously discussed here. These artists find the poems hidden in the text of the books. I particularly like Meghan Scott's work. via Jorn
posted by rxreed at 10:00 PM on August 23, 2005

I'd call that art before I'd call it poetry. Either that or I'd call it bad poetry.
posted by Citizen Premier at 12:04 AM on August 24, 2005

Oh wonderful! The Humument popped into my head just the other day, though I read about it in a previous mefi thread a very long time ago, but unfortunately couldn't remember what it was called or who made it or any details about it whatsoever. I had resigned myself to living with one of those vague, unresolved itches in the back of my mind about that book thing that I think was interesting but no longer know why, but now my life is complete. Thanks protocol, grapefruit, and most of all caddis, for posting this.
posted by Hal Mumkin at 5:18 PM on August 24, 2005