edcat categories
edcats general use of categories
edcat uses categories to order publications in order to generally classify items that belong into the database. Any item that doesn’t fit into one of the categories should not be added to edcat. (if you think we are missing a category, please submit a request). For that reason, we use a rather small number of categories. Because artists’ publications can be of various forms, combining different features of different categories, an item can belong to different categories at the same time. To further classify the general nature of an item, edcat uses subcategories. Items can be classified in different subcategories.
Categories
1. Artists’ Book
How to define the meaning of the term "artists’ book" is a widely discussed and slightly controversial topic. The definition we are applying to the edcat scope of this category is basically based on the manifested definition by Printed Matter: Unlike an art book, catalog or monograph that tend to showcase artworks created in another medium, the term ‘artists’ books’ refers to publications that have been conceived as artworks in their own right."The interpretation of this opens up a space in the form of the book, that has been widely explored by artists, mainly since the 1950s and is still a vital area in the digital age.
For the edcat scope, we have defined the following checkmarks:
It’s an artists’ book if
- the book has been conceived as an artwork in its own right
- the artists’ work in the book has been created solely for this book
- the book consists of a work that is adapted or reinterpretated by the artist to become a book (e.g. a film script, material resulting from a performance or installation …)
- the artist plays a major role in the concept, design, editing or production of the book and is as well the author of the book
It’s not an artists’ book if
- the content of the book is showcasing artworks created in another medium and the content is not interpretated or adapted by the artist for the book. (see exhibtion catalogue, artist monograph)
- the content shows a retrospective or collections of artworks (see monograph)
- the content shows a documentation of a project, show or exhibition (see exhibition catalogue)
Popular Subforms:
Photobook Zine Flipbook Leporello Book Postcard Book artists’ writings Folder
2. Artists’ Periodical
The artists’ periodical could be a subform of an artists’ book, but the term book just doesn’t apply to it. Still, the rules for what fits into this are similar to those for artists’ book
It’s an artists’ periodical if
- the artists are editing and/or publishing the periodical
- the magazine has been conceived as an artwork in its own right
- the artists’ work in the magazine has been created solely for this magazine
- the magazine only consists of work that is adapted or reinterpretated by the artist to become part of this publication
- the artist plays a major role in the concept, design, editing or production of the magazine and is as well the editor of the magazine
It’s not an artists’ periodical if
- it’s an artists’ contribution to a traditional magazine or fanzine of any kind that isn’t the main topic in this magazine.
- the content of the publication is showcasing artworks created in another medium and the content is not interpretated or adapted by the artist for the book. (see exhibtion catalogue, artist monograph)
3. Artists’ Edition
An artists’ edition is any artwork that was produced by an artist in a edition with at least 2 copies. Usually these artworks are numbered and signed by the artist or include a certificate that is signed and numbered.
Popular Subforms
Multiple (A mechanically produced artwork, usually in a high edition.) Photography Edition Graphics (Prints) Graphic Work Audio Edition Vinyl Record Film/Video Edition Multimedia Edition
4. Artists’ Ephemera
5. Photobook
6. Artist Monograph
7. Exhibition Catalog
8. Art Book
This category includes any book related to art that doesn’t fit in any of the other categories or is a very hybrid form.
9. Art Theory
10. Art Magazine
11. Art Poster
12. Art Postcard
13. Art Ephemera
14. Unique Book Object
15. Poetry Book
16. Architecture Book
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