Creativity is central to exploration in both art and science. And as we wonder, and attempt to understand our worlds and the universe – and hence ourselves and humanity – categories can, and perhaps should, become blurred. How can we reflect this in the field of book art? Book artists are invited to bring their own creativity and imagination to consider this broad theme.

Liverpool Book Art is curating another major exhibition of Book Art in 2024. We have decided to take a different approach this year, as set out below, rather than celebrating a significant anniversary (unless you count the fact that our first exhibition took place 10 years ago!).

Our starting point is a quote from Albert Einstein:

"Where the world ceases to be a stage for personal hopes, aspirations, and desires, and we stand before it as free creatures, full of admirations, questions and contemplation, we enter the realm of art and science. If we describe what we see and experience in the language of logic, we do science; if we convey connections through forms that are inaccessible to the rational mind, but intuitively recognisable as making sense, we do art."

Creativity is central to exploration in both art and science. And as we wonder, and attempt to understand our worlds and the universe - and hence ourselves and humanity - categories can, and perhaps should, become blurred. Distinctions can be both valuable and problematic: 'art' versus 'science', 'nature' versus 'human', 'natural' versus 'supernatural', 'material' versus 'spiritual', 'secular' versus 'religious' and so on. And as the great science-fiction writer Arthur C Clarke said "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

Artists are invited to bring their own creativity and imagination to this broad theme. We are keen to receive proposals which involve the creation of new book art works. In addition, in recognition of LBA's 10 years of exhibiting, we are also happy to receive submissions of already created artist's books, including relevant works shown by LBA in previous years.

Previous LBA exhibitions have been a great success, attracting international submissions of the highest quality, with works from Japan, Australia, USA and across Europe and the UK. We are open to, and encourage submissions from across the diverse range of book art - multiples and unique works, narratives & non-narratives, sculptural works and altered books etc.

Liverpool Book Art is passionate about supporting book artists by showcasing their work. As in previous years, we will promote and organise sales of any works in the exhibition, in accordance with the preference of each participating artist. 

The exhibition will run from 3rd September until the end of October. The venue, Liverpool Central Library, is not only used by a great many local residents but is also a visitor destination in its own right.

Submission details:

You can submit images of up to 4 pieces of work within a single submission (maximum 2 images per work). Separate submissions will incur additional submission fees.
We expect to select a maximum of 2 works per artist in order to present a diverse range of works.

By uploading these images you give your permission for Liverpool Book Art to use them on the website, social media pages and in publicity for the fair and exhibition. (We won't use any images from artists if they are not selected.)

The selection will all need to be works which fit in the display cabinets in the first floor Hornby Room. Please note we expect to include multiple items by different artists within several of the display cases.

The Liverpool display cabinets are of a variety of shapes and sizes:

• 1 case - 162.5cm (L) x 112.5cm (W) x 31cm (H)
• 6 cases - 92.5cm (L) x 52cm (W) x 31.5cm (H) 
• 2 cases - 142.5cm (L) x 67cm (W) x 31cm (H)
• 1 tall case - 80.5cm (L) x 50.5 (W) x 70cm approx. (H)
• 1 vertical case - 148cm (W) x 37cm (Depth) Case contains one shelf. Height from base to shelf – 42cm approx., height from shelf to top 41cm approx. Depth of shelf 20cm approx.
  
  

Time table:

• Call closes on 27th May 2024. NB This is the deadline for proposals, not completed works!
• Selection of Works by 7th June
• 8th June – 25th August: Creation of selected works, if relevant
• Delivery of Selected Works to Liverpool Central Library by SATURDAY 25th August
  N.B. THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY 26th AUGUST AND BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 27th AUGUST
  
  

Exhibition design will take place from 28th August to 2nd September.