The Artist’s Library Installation Opens at LAXART

‘The Artist’s Library’ opens on Saturday at LAXART. (Image: Courtesy of the gallery)

The Artist’s Library, a new, interactive art piece, opens on Saturday (June 4) for a year-long installation at LAXART gallery in Los Angeles.

The project consists of 12 shelves, with each of the 12 participating artists filling a shelf with the books that play an important role in their art practice. Though the books must remain at LAXART, the public is encouraged to interact with the books and make copies of what interests them on a nearby copy machine.

Artist Warren Neidich curated The Artist’s Library, collaborating with a few CalArtians, including artist and School of Art Faculty Charles Gaines, and CalArts alumni Dave Muller (Art MFA 93) and Victoria Fu (Art MFA 05).

The other participating artists are CalArts Visiting Faculty Candice Lin; and visiting artists Walead Beshty, Carolina Caycedo and Chris Kraus; as well as Sarah Beadle, Valentina Desideri, Pablo Helguera, Dan Levenson and Shana Lutker.

From LAXART:

These unexpected, obscure and compelling book titles reveal the diversity of backgrounds, interests, tastes, and source material of each artist, and provide the viewer with a window into artistic thought and practice.

Along with the library itself, there will be a series of events held in association with the installation. The first event, on June 25, is a salon-style exhibition of art from the participating artists along with lectures/presentation from three of the artists.