Victoria & Albert Museum, London


Because of its universal form and significance, the book is an important point of inspiration and reflection for artists, a fact that is duly expressed in the impressive and diverse lineup of international artists on view here.

Exquisitely bound volumes, sculptural works and installations are united for a display of 60 works by 38 artists, ranging from artists who worked in Paris shortly after World War II within the genre "livre d'artiste" to Anselm Kiefer who created The Secret Life of Plants (2008) as a specially commissioned book for the exhibition. Other artists besides Kiefer include Picasso, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Matisse, and Anish Kapoor, among others.

The show's thematic approach brings into relief the creative process and style of each artist, as well as thought-provoking explorations of the book's eternal allure as knowledge-giver and communication tool, and the uncertain relationship between cover and content.

April 15 through June 29, 2008
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
T.+44 20 7942 2000