Posted by Lillian Mulero and Jan Galligan 31 May 2012
The advent of electronic books and e-book readers has called into question the future of books, publications and the printed page. This exhibition challenges the notion of the death of the book, about which the curators say, “by no means is the book on the way out, but its concept and modes of reading have changed… Contemporary art practices are essentially a visual language, attempts by the artist to communicate ideas through signs, gestures and actions. Artworks are not only understood as a vital communication medium, but also serve as instruments for the dissemination of ideas that transcend disciplines.”
Dsñotipo of Puerto Rico offers the book as art object. Their piece, a limited edition book commissioned by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, contains hundreds images of machetes from the largest collection in Puerto Rico – dating from the early 19th century to the present – presented handsomely bound one image per page in chronological order.
Other artists include: 2UP (NYC), Guillermo Alvarez Charvel (Mexico), Hector Falcon (Mexico), Jorge Gonzalez (Puerto Rico), Kristine Servia (Puerto Rico) and Pirate Press, a collaboration between artist Christopher Rivera (Puerto Rico / NYC) and the writer Mass Jeffries (NYC).
OB-R is a collaboration between designer Luis A. Diaz-Alejandro and curator Carla Acevedo-Yates.
OB-R : Objecto – Rectanglar
ARTLAB753
753 Fernandez Juncos Avenue
sector Miramar, San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 24 – July 1, 2012