2/4/97 Contact: Sheppard Black, Ohio University, 614/593-2710

ATHENS, Ohio -- "Shape-shifting: Transformations in the Art of the Book," a collection of contemporary artists' books illustrating a variety of 20th century book art interpretations, will be on display through March in the fifth floor exhibit area of Alden Library on Ohio University's Athens campus.

Margaret Sunday, book artist and head of the book arts program at the University of Northern Colorado, assembled the exhibit, which includes pieces varying in materials, structure and method of creation. Book types range from letterpress editions to pop-up and fold-out books to book sculptures, and explore such themes as politics, mythology, racism and censorship. The exhibit includes nearly 40 pieces from various artists.

"Many artists' books and book extensions adapt the sculptural forms of vessels: boxes, drawers, coffins, houses. But books do more than contain; they convey," Sunday says. Some are finely crafted, handmade books, while others demonstrate the use of current commercial technologies to produce a "fast tech" design, said Sheppard Black, special collections librarian and curator for the library's exhibit space.

Though the definition of an artist's book is debated among artists and scholars, "Shape-shifting" offers an "exhilarating, sometimes puzzling, encounter with a startling array of modern book art objects," Black said.

The exhibition space is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.