Figuring the Word: Essays on Books, Writing and Visual Poetics.
Granary Books, 1998. Item #GB_59
ISBN: 9781887123235
5 1/2 8 1/2 in., 312 pp., smyth-sewn wrappers.
“Figuring the Word is a work of poetics rather than criticism or theory in that these essays are the products of doing as much as thinking, of printing as much as writing, of designing as much as researching, of typography as much as composition, of autobiography as much as theory. The mark of the practitioner-critic is everywhere present in these pieces: Figuring the Word is a wide-ranging collection of Drucker’s essays from the early ’80s to the present. Written in a variety of styles and presented in a variety of formats, the book reflects many divergent aspects of her work and thinking, while at the same time demonstrating how cohesive her project has been.”
–Charles Bernstein, from introduction to Figuring the Word
This book is a sort of Johanna Drucker reader—yet rather than anthologize from published books, Figuring the Word collects writings published in obscure academic and literary journals or delivered as talks or interviews. The book contains several sections (each with several chapters) including “Writing as Artifact,” “Visual Poetics,” “Artists’ Books Past and Future,” “The Future of Writing,” and “Personal Writing.”
Designed by Johanna Drucker. Illustrated with black and white halftones. Printed offset, this is from an edition of 3000 copies. Fine.
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ABOUT JOHANNA DRUCKER
ABOUT CHARLES BERNSTEIN
Further reading: Shaw, Tate. "To Figure Out What Is Happening: An Interview with Johanna Drucker." The Journal of Artists’ Books 21. Spring 2007.
Price: $30.00