The Artist's Book: A Multidisciplinary Paradox in a Mono-Medial Age

A recent talk in Rome about Zaelia Bishop's artist book 'Lunario per sonnambuli' sparked reflections on the nature of artist books and multidisciplinary practice. Held at Angolocottura, a space run by Iginio de Luca, the event revealed audience discomfort with visual artists who also write, framing it as a 'traumatic choice' or 'derailment.' Pericle Guaglianone argues that the term 'artist book' implies a false dichotomy between writers and visual artists, and that contemporary art is paradoxically mono-medial despite claims of multimediality. He notes that the word 'poetry' was never uttered during the talk, reflecting its poor reputation in visual art circles, where it is associated with sentimentality. Bishop himself emphasized the 'harshness' and 'ferocity' of his work, distancing it from poetic sweetness. Guaglianone contrasts this with historical figures like William Blake and Michelangelo, who seamlessly blended visual art and poetry. He warns that today's medium-specific formalism may be suppressing potential Blakes among visual artists who limit themselves to artist books to maintain a clear professional identity.