The design of books, book bindings and typography were key areas of study at both Henry van de Velde's Kunstgewerbeschule and the Staatliches Bauhaus. As the successor of both institutions, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar keeps a varied collection of artistically designed publications and artists' books available in the university library.
Historic parts of the collection are stored in the closed stacks, whereas contemporary works are being kept in the Limona building (2nd floor, room 207). Since the design faculty was founded in 1993, the collection has been continually expanded. Today it contains elaborately designed works, significant artists' books and especially noteworthy works by Bauhaus-Universität students and instructors.
Works from the artists' book collection may be requested for viewing in the Limona reading room in the library catalogue. Please follow this link for a complete list. Additionally, a detailed classification system was developed, enabling you to search the collection by design criteria, item type or item-specific aspects:
Contains works that are defined by their outward design aspects, unique structural properties or their experimental character.
| Ki 1101 | Box, packaging, slipcase, envelope, sleeve, banderole |
| Ki 1102 | Form, format |
| Ki 1103 | Dust cover |
| Ki 1104 | Cover, protective packaging |
| Ki 1105 | Binding, structure |
| Ki 1106 | Bookblock |
| Ki 1107 | Layout, typesetting, typography, type-text-page-design |
| Ki 1108 | Pop-up book |
| Ki 1109 | Special/unconventional materials |
| Ki 1110 | Small parts |
| Ki 1111 | Curiosities |
| Ki 1112 | Poster |
| Ki 1113 | Abstract, non-text |
| Ki 1114 | Visual storytelling |
| Ki 1115 | Faksimile |
| Ki 1116 | Book within a book |
| Ki 1117 | Student projects and final theses |
Contains artists' books, i.e. books where artists were involved in the design or the content, or artworks that were conceptualized as a book.
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Ie 6820 | Artist's book, zine or newspaper |
| Ie 6821 | Photo edition, print, graphic work, single object |
| Ie 6822 | Compilation, mixed media, ephemera |
| Ie 6823 | Artist's record, cassette or compact disc |
| Ie 6824 | Film, video or multimedia edition |
| Ie 6829 | Portfolio |
| Concept | |
|---|---|
| Ie 6831 | Documentation of artistic intervention, performance or installation |
| Ie 6832 | Poetry, wordplay |
| Ie 6833 | Supplements to an exhibition |
| Ie 6834 | Participatory approach |
| Ie 6835 | Photo book |
| Ie 6836 | Artistic edition (different works, compilation as artistic project) |
| Ie 6837 | Collage, assemblage |
| Ie 6838 | Report (documentation), journal, diary |
| Ie 6839 | Sketchbook |
| Individual item | |
|---|---|
| Ie 6825 | Limited edition |
| Ie 6826 | Hand signed, autographed |
| Ie 6828 | Single sheets, originals, unique object, hand drawn dust cover |
Suggestions for new acquisitions and submissions from university projects are welcome. Please direct these and any other requests to the subject librarian, Dr. Moritz Lampe. Visits to the artists' books storage room can be arranged by e-mail appointment only.