Russian book art, 1904-2005

By Annie de Coster

Subjects: Biography, Exhibitions, Artists' books, Avant-garde (Aesthetics), History and criticism, Illustration of books, History, Artists, Artists' illustrated books

Description: This publication accompanies the exhibition Russian Book Art, 1904 - 2005 in the Bibliotheca Wittockiana in Brussels. The exhibition is part of the 2005 Europalia Festival. Russian Book Art, 1904 – 2005 gives an overview of 20th century Russian book art in the perspective of the artist and not of the author. It is meant to be a history of art and not of literature. The book art on show is divided into three parts that are separated by the 1917 October revolution and the 1980 Perestroika revolution. The first part deals with the Russian avant-garde. In the second part, the book art of the Russian emigration is presented. In the third part contemporary Russian book art is positioned as an inheritance of the pervious periods. Integrated into the exhibition are three special highlights. Subject of the first highlight is the book art made for works by Daniil Kharms, one of the most beloved and eagerly sought after authors in Russia. Elisabeth Ivanovsky, living and still working in Brussels, is presented with her works for children’s pictures books, while the last highlight deals with Jewish Russian (or Russian Jewish?) artists that are so prominent in the avant-garde and contemporary Russian book art.