Presentation: 6th of  December at 20.00

David Maroto will engage in a public conversation with Seth Siegelaub.

Till 21st April 2013, an artist novel collection (135 items) will be on display for public perusal in a specially built reading room. 

An online database (also hosted by M HKA) complementary to the artist novel collection will be presented as well. As from 4th December it will be available in the link below:
http://ensembles.mhka.be/events/what-happens-when-the-artwork-becomes-a-novel

The Book Lovers is a systematic attempt to study the phenomenon of artist novels. There are some examples of artist novels in the 20th Century, but it is in the last ten to fifteen years that an increasing number of artists have chosen the novel as an artistic medium. With The Book Lovers we intend to create a public awareness of this quietly widespread artistic trend. Has literature become a new tool for creating expanded narrations in visual arts? What are the consequences for the production process when adopting a purely textual form, moreover a narrative? Is it possible to find a relationship to conceptual art, or relational aesthetics, or is this an entirely different artistic form? Collective writing, fictional artists and authors, ghost writers... what are the issues raised in relation to authorship and the re-skilling of art practice?

The project is divided in three parts: a collection of artist novels with a parallel online database; an exhibition; and a symposium. The first part, the collection, includes, among others, novels written by: Carl Andre, Keren Cytter, Salvador Dalí, Tim Etchells, Liam Gillick, Goldin+Senneby, Pablo Helguera, Stewart Home, Joseph Kosuth, Yayoi Kusama, Jana Leo, Jill Magid, Mai-Thu Perret, Tom McCarthy, Richard Prince, Roee Rosen, Lindsay Seers, Alexandre Singh, Andy Warhol... to a total of around 135 titles. This collection is the result of a research carried out by David Maroto and Joanna Zielinska, and it is being acquired by M HKA, to be part of the museum's collection.

Links:
The Book Lovers: www.davidmaroto.info/The-Book-Lovers
Seth Siegelaub: http://egressfoundation.net
Interview with David Maroto and Joanna Zielińska: www.news.cricoteka.pl/conversation-with-joanna-zielinska-and-david-maroto