After having looked into the history of altered books I have been forming a lesson plan for the classroom that reaches into the past to the British artist Tom Phillips who is credited with creating the first altered book called "The Humament" in 1970. See www.thehumament.com
Tom Phillips a British artist created the “Humament” one of the first contemporary examples of this art. In 1970 he altered a book called A Human Document and began using the written word as a source of inspiration which he still draws on today. See www.TomPhillips.com
By covering, cutting, and changing the structure of the physical object, altered books can turn into art that become like shrines or just simply a graphic masterpiece. These books are transformed into colorful images totally different from their original intended use.
By altering the form their function is changed.
For the classroom this project could be used as a memory book or scrapbook which particularly appeals to middle and high schoolers. Lots of rich vocabulary to be had and great power points that could show the development of this idea over time. I am thinking that recycling toddler board books by gesso-ing them would be a great project for all ages too.
Toddler board books, what a great idea! They usually come as animals and odd shapes. Or maybe those baby cloth books could be rolled up and treated like scrolls, prep them with gesso and stored in cut off pringle cans with a tassel and cord. I like it!
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