Artists' books - limited edition and one-of-a-kind hand-made objects - have recently gained more traction in the art world. Book artists are constantly reinventing the crafts of printing, papermaking and binding, often embracing digital image-making as a means to expand their repertoire. In fact, many contemporary examples break with tradition completely, becoming time-based sculptural objects that offer wordless visual and tactile experiences.

The medium has a tremendous allure for both artists and collectors. Dr. Robert J. Ruben of New York, who has recently lectured on the subject at the Princeton University Library says, "The bottom line is, they're human. They tell a story in space and time. Their craftsmanship and artistry opens the door to a full range of experience."

Limited edition book by Jonathon Rosen: Intestinal Fortitude (Depictions of Anatomical Blasphemy). Poote Press, 1990; reissued by Le Dernier Cri, 2005.

New York art dealer Brian Hannon says that a finely crafted artists' book "is a collection of accumulating moments measured by the turning of the pages. It's a conversation of thought and action, a powerful communication between the here and the not-here." Mark Waskow of Barre, Vermont, who holds over 1,000 artists' books in his collection, adds, "It's a wonderful medium because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Much like installation art, which has also come into its own in the last two decades, there is often strong sense of construction involved, which can be very intriguing."

Brooklyn artist Jonathon Rosen says, "For me, books are a way to create a material object of obsessive quality, its own self-contained universe, following its own laws of nature (and/or breaking them). Since much of the art I make for a living is (basically) ephemera and ephemeral, making books creates a satisfying illusion of permanence in a transitory world."

The process of creating one-off books takes many artists on paths they would never otherwise explore. Ward Schumaker of San Francisco says, "I bought a letterpress, only to discover how inept I am at printing. I painted over the error-filled results and, surprisingly, liked what I saw. So I sold the press and started hand-painting books. I bound the first ones myself (taking classes at San Francisco Center for the Book) but my books have grown too big for me to control, so I now have them done by master binder John Demerritt."

The question of exactly what is an artists' book is the subject of ongoing debate as the medium evolves. Perhaps the first example by a notable artist is Marcel Duchampss' Boite-en-valise 1935-1940, or box in a suitcase. This is a portable "museum" containing sixty-nine miniature reproductions of the artist's own work housed in a leather valise.

During the summer, MoMA, a longtime proponent of book arts, installed Book/Shelf, an exhibition of work by 20^th century and contemporary artists, which lives on in a dedicated micro-site. In the coming months, there are countless opportunities to learn more about artists' books, with exhibitions, lectures and courses on just about every aspect of the medium. If you follow an arc-shaped path from Manhattan to San Francisco, you'll hit some of the best places to study book arts. Following is a rundown of some of the fall offerings.

New York City
The Center for Book Arts
The current exhibitions, Fun & Games, and Such (which includes books as games and objects) and Artist as Publisher, close this Saturday. The weekend's offerings include a demonstration by Tatiana Ginsberg on the traditions of Japanese naturally dyed papers on September 12^th. Please check website for the fall schedule of classes and workshops.

The Cooper Union, Department of Continuing Education
Artists' Books: Alternative Techniques, a 10-week course starting September 22, 2008. Instructor: Esther K. Smith (Purgatory Pie Press). Please check website for information.

MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art
Monday, October 20, 12:30 pm: At the Center and at the Edge, The Contemporary Artists' Book. A survey of recent artists' books investigates the multiple possibilities (and personalities) of a surprisingly vital mode of expression. Please check website for tickets and information.

The NY Art Book Fair
October 24 - 26, 2008. Printed Matter's annual fair of contemporary art books, art catalogs, artists' books, art periodicals, and 'zines offered for sale by over 120 international publishers, booksellers, and antiquarian dealers. Free and open to the public. Please check website for information.

The Twin Cities
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Shaped Paper Books; Modular Accordion Book; Reductive Lino-cut on the Letterpress; Multi-color Japanese Water-Based Woodblock Printing; and Low Relief Papermaking are just a few of the courses offered this fall at the Midwest's premiere book arts center. Please check website for schedule and information.

MCBA/Jerome Foundation Book Arts Fellowship Exhibition. October 3, 2008 through January 10, 2009 featuring books by five Jerome Foundation Book Arts fellows. Please check website for information.

The San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Center for the Book
Decorated Capitals; Image Transfers; Manifestos, Diatribes and Polemics; Small Photo Books; Gocco Printing; The Transparent Book; and Steamroller Printing are a few of the offerings at the Bay Area's top book arts center. Please check website for schedule and information.

Bay Area Book Artists
Book Arts Jam on October 18^th at Foothills College, Los Altos Hills. The 7^th annual celebration of the book arts includes exhibitions, demonstrations, panels and fabulous book arts fun. Please check website for information.