Altered Books: Making Something New of

Something Old

Definition:

• An altered book is an old manuscript that has been embellished, decorated, painted, torn, or altered in any way to turn it into an art object. Often altered books begin as a comment about the original book, but the theme of the altered book may also be something unrelated.

History• 11th Century Monks- “Palimpsests”-

reusing old manuscripts

• Victorian Era- “Grangerism”- using illustrations torn from one book to decorate another

“A Humument”

• Tom Phillips- started the modern-day altered book movement.

• Bought a used Victorian novel, “A Human Document”, and spent 15 years turning it into a ‘new’ novel, “A Humument”

From the FIRST modern altered book: “A Humument” by Tom Phillips

Today….

• Artists express themselves through altered books in a limitless amount of ways.

• Sometimes they used pictures, or turn the book into a sculpture, add text, delete text, to create a new meaning or visual interpretation of the book.

Book Vomit, from w00kie on Flickr

Before You Begin:

• Look for hardbacks or board books. Avoid paperbacks.

• Make sure binding is not broken or loose.

• To make room for additions, “thin out” your book by ripping out every 5th page.

• To support additions, glue 2 or more pages together using gel medium or a glue stick and brayer.

• Make sure not to use originals of photos!

Gathering Materials

Flash cardsOld game piecesOld picturesOld magazines and

newspapersLeavesOld calendarsCheap jewelryCookie fortunesOld wrapping paper

Food wrappersOld photographsSeed packetsFound notesTrading cardsMapsRibbonsPressed flowersTicketsTissue Paper

Supplies• Anything used for

scrapbooking• Xacto knife & cutting mat• Glue sticks/Spray

adhesive/Double-sided tape• Gesso or gel medium & foam

paint brush• Decorative edged scissors• Stamps and hole punches• Drills, fabri-tac, book binding

tape• Pens, markers, colored pencils,

crayons, paints

Other Techniques to Try• Deconstruct a picture. Paint over

it, age it with sandpaper, rip it and put it back together, etc.

• Try pop ups!• Create poems from found words. • Thread a ribbon on inside of the

spine and tie in a bow.• Alter photos using photo editing

software such as Photoshop to create different effects.

From Altered Board Book Basics From Altered Book Scrapbook

Nature Journals & Memory Keepers

Techniques: Windows and Cutouts

Altered Art for the First Time by Madeline Arendt

Styles & Techniques• Pockets • Collage

• Closure/ handle on outside

• Photographs• Pop-ups• Quotes• Found Objects• Painted Pages

•

Words show through the paint

Inserting Found Objects

Texture & Interest

Unity in Color

Using items of interest, show what your hopes and dreams are for your life and For the world in which we live

From Alter This! by Alena Hennessy

Techniques: Shadow Boxes, Weaving, and Sewing

Techniques: Frames

From Altered This by Alena Hennessy

Books as Art

Swiss Army Bookby M. L. Van Niceon display at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Books as Art

detail of missing the pointjennifer hibbardaltered book

Books as Art

The Astronomer's Apothecary

Queen’s Game by Karen Hatzigeorgiou

Books as Art

Books as Art

Books as Art

Books as Art

Books as Art

Noriko Ambe, titled 1000 of Self (2007)

Books as Art

Su Blackwell – Pandora Opens Box

Books as Art

La Saison du Printemps 2008

Nous sommes eternels 2004

Books as Art

Brian Dettmer- Carved Books

Core 6, 2007

Books as Art

The Enjoyment of Music, 2008

Books as Art

Books as Art

Books as Art

Books as Art

Theme: What I Want for the World

• Examples: • Art for ALL• Literacy• Animal Protection• Poverty Awareness• Protected Environment• Ending Child Abuse• Helping Others• Citizenship

• What am I passionate about?

• What will I do to change these things or help the world?

• How am I planning to help others