Altered Book Project 2009-2010

Altered Book Project Purpose

To transform a discarded book into a creative art work that has a theme and uses a variety of media and techniques.

Brief History of Altered Books

Altered books is an art form in which existing books are reworked into works of art.

The existing book becomes the canvas for the new ideas an images.

Sometimes words or images from the bookare kept as part of the altering.

At other times, the books are entirely changed to become a completely different idea.

Brief History of Altered Books

Altered books are actually an old way of recycling (which is now called “Upcycling”).

In the 11th century, Italian monks recycled old manuscripts written on vellum by scraping off the ink and adding new text and illustrations on top of the old.

This was known as “Palimpsest”.

In the late 19th century, people used old books as a sort of scrapbook, pasting memories and

items from their society on its pages.

Brief History of Altered Books

They would use magazine images, personal recipes , and family pictures.

“Grangerism” was a Victorian practice of illustrating a particular book with engravings torn from other books.

Today artists are exploring the form of the book along with its substance.

Existing images and text become something entirely new.

An Important Tip

If you stop yourself from doing visual journaling because you think you'll mess up your journal, try drawing/doodling on separate pieces of paper. Cut and paste the work you like best into your journal. Remember this is not about being perfect or making great art, its about having fun and expressing yourself.

Book Art Projects

Autobiography Title Cover Design(3200, 2200, 1201)

Create a creative title for the cover of your book. Your title MUST have your full name in the title.

Title must cover most of the cover.

Title must have an interesting font/shape/design…

Background must be designed or filled in.

Must have interesting images, details, facts, symbols, etc. that represent you and your title.

BE CREATIVE!

This book should show your individuality and represent you as an artist.

Doodle Drawing(3200, 2200, 1201)

This is an optional project. This can be done in the same style as your first doodle project.

• You will choose an image to represent you to draw in the center of your page (this will be your focal point) and then fill the rest of your page with random doodles, shapes, lines, words, and patterns. Your drawing can be completed in paint, marker, or other art supplies. Please try your best to keep your project neat.

BE CREATIVE!

This book should show your individuality and represent you as an artist.

Name Design (not assigned yet)

Write your name inside the cover of your art book.

Name must be large

Name must have an interesting font

Background must be designed or filled in

Must have interesting details, facts, symbols, etc. that represent you.

BE CREATIVE!

This book should show your individuality and represent you as an artist.

Memory Map (not assigned yet)

Draw a memory map of your home town .

Map does not have to show all of your home town.

Map should include your path from your home to school (or another significant location).

Include things that you notice on your journey.

BE CREATIVE!

Remember that this is not an ordinary map. This is a map of things that you would like to remember in the future. Make it interesting.

Life Story (not assigned yet)

Write about something you remember in your life.

Write your memory as a story that would be read in a book (not as a journal entry).

Design a background that would compliment your story. Paint or collage the background into your book.

Draw an image to illustrate your story.

Write you text around the image.

BE CREATIVE!

This story should not only be interesting to others who read it, but it should also be interesting to look at.

Inspirational Quote (not assigned yet)

Write a quote about art.

Cover 2 pages of your book with the quote.

Design a background that would compliment your quote. Paint or collage the background into your book.

Draw your quote over the background using an interesting font so that the quote is the emphasis of the page.

BE CREATIVE!

This quote should inspire you or represent your views as an artist. Please choose the quote wisely.

Favorite Things Collage (not assigned yet) Create a collage that represents you:

Cover the background with your favorite colour(use magazines, newspapers, scrap paper, etc.)

Include at least 3 objects that represent you

Include at least 3 words that represent you

BE CREATIVE!

This quote should inspire you or represent your views as an artist. Please choose the quote wisely.

Top 10 _______________ (not assigned yet)

Create a top ten list of things that are important to you:

Cover 2 pages of your book with the list.

Design a background that would compliment your list. Paint or collage the background into your book.

Draw your list over the background using an interesting font so that the list is the emphasis of the page.

Choose something to make a top 10 list about. (Possible Top 10s: Songs, books, bands, artists, favorite things, movies, games, etc.)

BE CREATIVE!

This list should show others a little of your personality. Choose your list carefully.

“I AM” (not assigned yet)

Write the words at the top of the page I AM.

Find words from magazines to cut out and paste onto the page that say 2 or 3 positive things about yourself. (example: I AM: smart, funny, creative.)

If you can't find the words in the magazines, write them in using markers, crayons, etc.

Find images, stickers, decorative paper to fill in the page.

Use pencils, markers, crayons to finish the page.

BE CREATIVE!

This page should show others things about yourself that you are proud of.

“I Am Grateful For” (not assigned yet)

Write the words at the top of the page I AM GRATEFUL FOR.

Find several words that describe what you are grateful for (example: family, friendship, food).

After pasting the words onto the page, write one or two sentences about how you feel about these blessings.

Finish the page using any form of art and collage or doodling.

BE CREATIVE!

This page will show others what your true values are. You can tell a lot about a person based on what they are thankful for.