Abstract
This applied thesis project deals with a selection of fifty books published by the Visual Studies Workshop (VSW) Press in the 1970s and 1980s. The selection of books can be found in the Independent Press Archive that is currently held in the Research Center at the Visual Studies Workshop (VSW) in Rochester N.Y. The objective for this applied project is to facilitate access and describe the selection of books through the construction of a website. The thesis is divided into two parts, a website description of the books and an analytical paper. The website will allow for visual access to some important experiments with the book format, analog experiments that were revolutionary in their time. The analytical paper includes a discussion of the decisions made while selecting and digitizing the books for the website. This thesis project will add to the current knowledge about VSW Press by providing a snapshot view of how the book format was utilized by artists and students working at VSW at a particular moment in history, a historical period in which photography media and publication were undergoing a time of remarkable growth.
Highlights
In 1969, photographer, writer, curator, and educator Nathan Lyons founded the Visual Studies Workshop (VSW) as an artist‐run, educational and support center for photography and other media arts.1 VSW Press, a program of VSW, has been producing artists’ books and titles in the visual arts since 1972
Workshop Press was a venue through which artists learned the conceptual and technical disciplines for producing a book and were encouraged to think critically about the process of bookmaking
The selection of books in the exhibit is from a specific period of time, a time of interest in new technology and new systems of distribution related to artwork
Summary
In 1969, photographer, writer, curator, and educator Nathan Lyons founded the Visual Studies Workshop (VSW) as an artist‐run, educational and support center for photography and other media arts. VSW Press, a program of VSW, has been producing artists’ books and titles in the visual arts since 1972. VSW began in 1969, and during the time period of 1970 to 1977 the press utilized a number of tools: an old letterpress and an offset duplicator, a process camera, 6 Booklyn Artists Alliance, accessed May 23, 2011, http://www.booklyn.org/ 7 The Center for Book Arts, accessed May 23, 2011, http://www.centerforbookarts.org/ 8 Printed Matter, accessed May 23, 2011, http://printedmatter.org/ 9 Publication Studio, accessed May 23, 2011, http://www.publicationstudio.biz/ 10 Rollo Press, accessed May 23, 2011, http://www.rollo‐press.com/ 11 Self Publish Be Happy, accessed May 23, 2011, http://selfpublishbehappy.com/ 12 Joan Lyons, Conversation at Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester, NY, January 31, 2011. Introductory Note: The literature consulted has been divided into six categories including: publications and writing about VSW Press, the photographic book, artists’ books, independent publishing, printing and technologies, and technical resources for the creation of a website. Websites for organizations such as Coach House Books, Booklyn Artists Alliance, The Center for Book Arts, Printed Matter, Publication Studio, Rollo Press, and Self Publish Be Happy are all relevant to examine alongside the organizational structure of VSW Press. This text considers how digital media influences the cultural heritage sector, and was a valuable resource while completing the project
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