Le livre libre explores artist books in French-speaking Switzerland

The collective work 'Le livre libre: Essai sur le livre d'artiste' examines the book as an object—illustrated books, unique books, and artist books—within the specific geographic context of French-speaking Switzerland (Suisse romande). In his foreword, Frédéric Pajak frames the volume as a reflection on works that reveal a regional tradition and creativity, aiming to outline a 'singular history.' The authors present a 'parallel art history' through well-chosen, often original examples. Featured artists include Francis Picabia, whose 'Poèmes et dessins de la fille née sans mère' was published in Lausanne in 1918, highlighting Switzerland's role in avant-garde movements—Dada was born at Zurich's Cabaret Voltaire. The book also studies Louis Soutter's interventions on books, Soutter now considered a leading figure in Art Brut. A chapter on Isidore Isou, founder of Lettrism, emphasizes the intrinsic link between language and drawing in his work. The final chapter surveys the current state of the artist book, introducing young artists using this medium. The book itself is a heavy object of nearly 400 large-format pages, embodying the freedom expressed in its title: the freedom to fuse language and sight. Léa Bismuth contributes to the volume.