Even young children recognize a book: it’s rectangular and opens on one side to reveal multiple pages. But does it have to be so? What other shapes and forms might books take and still be conveyers of information and ideas?

LSU Libraries Special Collections presents the exhibition, “Exploding the Codex: Book Arts in Special Collections,” which takes up these questions and answers them in surprising ways, with examples of books that come in a variety of shapes (Alisa Banks’ house-shaped Poule Aye), materials (Julie Chen’s wood, plastic, and paper True to Life), and structures (Béatrice Coron’s paper-cut accordion-folded Sushi). These are among the extraordinary and magical works on view from the eclectic book arts collection on display August 19 – December 13, 2019 in Hill Memorial Library at LSU. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Works by artists Amos Kennedy, Ron King, Claire van Vliet, and a host of others are featured, representing a variety of printing techniques, structures, and binding types. Presented in a kaleidoscope of color and shape, bookworks explore subjects from playful celebrations of nature to political calls to action.

The exhibition is presented in association with the LSU School of Art. Julie Chen, innovative book artist and founder of Flying Fish Press, will present a lecture this October in the LSU College of Art and Design Auditorium.

For more information on the exhibition, including hours, visit http://www.lib.lsu.edu/special. Note that Hill Memorial Library is closed on Sundays, and has special hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays (closed on home football game days).