Libri Artefatti

I recently found an interesting twist on the picture book – a book illustrated after it has been published!

Two italian artists are preparing an exhibition in a bookshop in Naples, featuring artwork created directly on books. Their work is online at:
http://www.urbansketchers.com/2010/02/libri-artefatti-books-as-sketchbooks.html

As a book designer and illustrator, I find this idea fascinating – a book with a life beyond its original intention. This is the artist working within paradigm of the illustrator – to the limitations of existing space, to interpret text, to reinvent page composition and breath new life into an old book.

The book is reinterpreted as an art object. But isn't any illustrated book a vehicle for displaying artwork? And don't most of us see most of the art we experience through reproduction, in books?

Cheers,
Peter