This fall, Professor Yuji Hiratsuka taught the first Book Arts class offered at OSU. In “Continuum of Inspiration: Student Projects from ART 399,” I hope you’ll see how really wonderful and inspirational their own creations are!

In partnership with Hiratsuka, SCARC staff Anne Bahde and Ruth Vondracek worked with the twelve students to share our book art collections and learn more about book arts generally.

Bahde writes

As students learned different binding styles and methods, they began to explore the creative possibilities offered by combining book forms, artistic media and techniques, and the printed word. Throughout the course, there were exercises and discussions about the creative processes used to conceptualize and transform ideas into paginated visual form.

Using techniques such as printmaking, painting, digital art and printing, letterpress, and photography, students created works that draw readers in, invite them to engage, and drive them to think. Students were inspired by a visit to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center to explore historic book forms, learn about the history of the book, and to see examples of modern fine press and artists’ books.

Stop by the 5th floor of Valley Library through January 31st to see these lovely pieces of book art.