The Art of the Book in California: Five Contemporary Presses

An emerging, dynamic art form -- the "new book," is defined by contemporary art practices, successful experiments with media, and innovative structures in book production.  This exhibition includes some of the most significant works from each of five California presses.

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University presents an exhibition featuring the "new book," as defined by contemporary art practices, successful experiments with media, and innovative structures in book production. “The Art of the Book in California: Five Contemporary Presses,” on view June 1 through August 28, includes some of the most significant works from each press, with approximately 50 works in all. Admission is free.

The exhibition presents works by Foolscap Press (Peggy Gotthold and Lawrence G. Van Velzer) of Santa Cruz; Moving Parts Press (Felicia Rice) of Santa Cruz; Ninja Press (Carolee Campbell) of Sherman Oaks; Peter Koch Printers (Peter Rutledge Koch) of Berkeley; and Turkey Press (Harry and Sandra Reese) of Isla Vista.

An illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, with essays by Koch and by the distinguished typographic historian, writer, and critic Robert Bringhurst. Koch speaks Thursday, May 12 at 4:15 pm as part of the Center's Art Focus Lecture Series, fee required, open to the public on a space-available basis. Docents lead free tours of the exhibition Thursdays at 12:15, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.

The exhibition is supported by the Clumeck Fund, the Drs. Ben and A. Jess Shenson Funds, Stanford University Libraries, and Cantor Arts Center Members.  Books featured in the exhibition were acquired in part by the Morgan A. and Aline D. Gunst Memorial Book Fund and the Robert L. Goldman Fund.

A companion exhibition, “Illustrated Title Pages: 1500 – 1900” on view April 13 – October 16 at the Cantor Arts Center, traces the development of layouts, printmaking techniques, and typography through title pages.

Image:

Moving Parts Press, Codex Espangliensis from Columbus to the Border Patrol (detail), 1998, Stanford Library Special Collections