Altering Used Books As a New Form of Art

Altered used books are a completely new way tobooks to help them to work through personal or
change a used book from its original state to createemotional issues or for many other reasons that are
a new work of art that many individuals and artistsunknown to the viewer. Some of these altered used
alike have recently found to be an enjoyable form ofbooks may create certain themes, while others
expression. Normally, the artist or individual will takestrictly express the personality of the artist.
old, used books that no longer have any value leftAltering books actually began back during the
due to the fact that their pages have been worn inmedieval era. During this period it was very common
the purpose of creating a new form of value in itfor individuals to reuse their parchment for economic
once again.reasons, which was done by either scraping, rubbing,
For individuals and artist to be able to create thisor simply covering the original text. This early form of
altered book then these individuals or artists mayaltering books was known as palimpsest. Now during
want to cut or tear the pages, then they might usemodern times, artists may paint, type, draw, and
glue or paints to add collages, gold effects, or popcreate different types of collages on every single
ups to their new creations. These altered books havepage as a way to create clusters within the original
been known to have pockets created within theirtext to express new forms of poetry.
pages to hold tags, rock, or other memorabilia whileThe different types of materials and equipment that
some other altered books have had their shapeindividuals and artists will use to create these altered
completely changed. Artists of this new form of artbooks include a variety of decorative scissors, paper
work seem to be very found of various types ofpunches, a variety of rubber stamps and inks, paints,
Victorian art work, which adds a type of antique lookfibers, brads, embellishments, eyelets, and buttons.
to these newly devised used books. Altered booksOther material may include chalks of regular and
have become so popular that they are being offeredpastel colors, pens, markers, ribbons, tissue paper,
at many famous art galleries and all over thebeads, charms, cording, feathers, lace, different
Internet, which is due to their uniqueness.types of fabric, napkins, rhinestones, and any other
Altering books takes creativity and patience alongmaterial that the individual feels comfortable with
with any used books that could stand to be recycled.using. The terrific thing surrounding this new form of
Bound used books are used to create this new formart is that ultimately any type of object can be used
of art through what ever means the artist mayin a variety of ways to create some unique form of
decide, which can be used as a conversation piece orart.
as even as a journal. Some individuals alter used