Subverting Expectations: the Contemporary Dimensions of a Rare Book Collection

Acquiring artists’ books for a college’s liberal arts collection implies risk and obligation with every decision. Will they be used? Is the maker’s intent clear? Will they continue to resonate over time? These works demand skilled interpreters who will present them as hybrid book-objects that merge language, material, and visual presence as metaphors. An academic library provides outstanding opportunities to integrate artists’ books with historical collections of rare books and manuscripts—to remind the viewer that they are not separate from earlier forms of the book, but relatives in a long evolutionary line of human expression.

Join Ruth Rogers, Curator of Special Collections at Wellesley College as she discusses a curator’s challenge of discerning from the vast range of possibilities and imagining how one’s choices will become a permanent part of teaching and learning at their institution.

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) celebrates its 46th year at the Hynes Convention Center in Downtown Boston, November 8-10, 2024. This three-day event welcomes the top international dealers offering the most sought-after collections of fine and rare books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera on the global market.

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  Hidden Gems of Castle Hil Guided Nature Walk: Roundtrip Transportation from Boston Included!

  Saturday, Nov 02, 2024 8:30a

  Crane Estate

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