THE BEST OF THE BEST: A VIRTUAL ARTIST BOOK
by R. J. Kern
Born during COVID-19 times, this virtual artist book showcases a collaboration between a range of artisans, writers, arts librarians, curators, and contributors in the photographic book project, The Best of the Best. This product is available on a sharable digital platform, secured by password-protection, available to stream in Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD).
The Best of the Best: A Virtual Artist Book features over a dozen components including video interviews, conversations, Q&A’s, interactive narratives, time-lapse documentaries, stop-motion animation, behind-the-scenes tutorials, and a virtual Instagram Live (IGTV) component, and of course all the essays and images and a digital signature page, too—all rooted to The Best of the Best project. Over 2 hours of recorded video footage created during self-isolation during COVID-19 times (June/July 2020).
The virtual book artist book will be produced in a limited edition of 24 + 4APs. This pays homage to the limited-edition nature of artist’s books as well as the 24 animals that participated in this project.
Purchase of The Best of the Best: A Virtual Artist Book may be credited towards the acquisition of The Best of the Best artist book, terms apply. Purchases are non-transferable, however may be shared on a .edu or .org website / network affiliated with purchasing institution.
Learn more about The Best of the Best:
Your support helps sustain on-going artist initiatives including community engagement through local exhibitions, artist talks, creative collaborations, and sharing the enthusiasm of “The Best of the Best” to communities across the globe.
RECENT PRESS
The University of Minnesota library recently shared an interview about virtual artists’ books, highlighting The Best of the Best: A Virtual Artist Book.
The idea of the artists’ book is that you are combining the aesthetic of an object with a concept,” says Deborah Ultan, Curator of the Francis V. Gorman Rare Art Books & Media Collection. “You’re creating something that is both visually exciting as much as or maybe more so even than the text.”
TEXT COMPONENTS
Included in the The Best of the Best: A Virtual Artist Book are essays by:
ANJULI J. LEBOWITZ, Department of Photographs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
ERIC T. KUNSMAN, Visual Communications Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
VIDEO COMPONENTS
1. Introduction
This video introduces a virtual artist book, “The Best of the Best” by R. J. Kern, showcasing details of the book in a stop motion virtual exhibition in the artist's studio in Minneapolis, MN.
2. Virtual conversation with Deborah Ultan, Curator, Gorman Rare Art Book Collection, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Questions answered during this virtual conversation include: How would you define a “virtual artist book”? What is NOT a “virtual artist book?” What advice would you give to artists interested in creating their first virtual / digital artist book? How has COVID-19 times influenced your interests in virtual artist books? What observations do you see with users engaging with digital artist books? How do you envision virtual art book subscriptions for collectors? How would an art library bring the virtual art book into their collection? How would the viewer access it? Do you envision the virtual art book opening up the genre?
3. Virtual Conversation with Kyle Olmon, Head Librarian, Christie’s, New York, NY
Questions answered during this conversation include: How would you define a virtual artist book? What is NOT a virtual artist book? What interests you most in virtual artist books? What do you perceive as the biggest challenge in creating virtual artist books? What advice would you give to artists interested in creating their first virtual artist book? As a librarian during COVID-19, what advice would you offer book artists trying to reach new audiences?
4. Virtual Conversation with Eric Kunsman, Visual Communications Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Questions answered during this virtual conversation include: What do you see is the value of Collaborative Artist Book Projects? Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” How do you see this apply in the fine-art photography world? Describe a favorite “ah-ha” moment in collaborating on this project? As a photography educator during COVID-19, what advice would you offer artists trying to reach new audiences?
5. Conversation between Jennifer Phelps, Director, Burnet Fine Art & Advisory, Wayzata, MN and visual artist R. J. Kern
Questions answered during this conversation include: What has been the biggest shocker and also the biggest positive outcome during the last 3-4 months as a gallerist? What interests you most in virtual artist books? What do you perceive as the biggest challenge in marketing and selling virtual artist books?What advice would you give artists looking in developing a virtual artist book? How do virtual objects, such as virtual artists’ books, shift and shape exhibiting the work? Will the artist need to create hybrid work? How do you envision virtual objects, such as virtual artists’ books, impacting the art world overall? If the work is born digital and only in digital form, and galleries can share them through online exhibiting, what becomes the compelling reason to go to the gallery?
6. Virtual Conversation with Kyle Olmon, Pop-Up Book Artist, Brooklyn, NY
Questions answered during this virtual conversation include: How do you find inspiration for your pop-up book art? What do you find satisfying about creating pop-up books? How important are collaborations with your projects? What do you find is the biggest challenge working with your chosen medium? How can the book arts and photography world benefit more from contributions made by pop-up artists?
7. Virtual Conversation with Eric Kunsman, Photographer and Book Artist, Booksmart Studio, Rochester, NY
Questions answered during this conversation include: How would you define a “virtual artist book”?What is NOT a “virtual artist book”? What interests you most in a “virtual artist book” experience? What do you perceive as the biggest challenge in creating “virtual artist books”? What advice would you give to artists interested in creating their first virtual / digital artist book?
8. Virtual Conversation with Independence Barnes, Art Student / Videographer / Editor, Minneapolis, MN
Questions answered during this conversation include: What has been your favorite part of this collaborative project? Why do you like to collaborate on creative projects? What do you find most useful in collaborative projects?
9. Virtual Conversation with R. J. Kern, Visual Artist, Minneapolis, MN
Questions answered during this conversation include: What has been your favorite part of this collaborative project? Why do you like to collaborate on creative projects? What do you find most useful in collaborative projects? How long has this project taken to complete? Is this a self-funded project? Isn’t that risky?
10. Salt Printing 101 Demonstration with R. J. Kern
Join R. J. Kern in his "dim room" as he walks through the process of creating a salt print from start to finish. He covers materials, chemistry/solutions used, while offering tips on technique in creating photographic prints made in the 19th-century tradition.
11. Instagram Live In-Studio Demonstration of Salt-over-Pigment Printing
Re-watch R. J. Kern’s virtual “live in-studio” demonstration of creating a 20 x 24 inch (mammoth plate) salt over pigment print from start to finish. He covers materials and techniques used in the fine art photographic series, The Best of the Best.
12. Time lapse of the construction of the salt print pop-ups by Kyle Olmon
Watch the behind-the-scenes process of 30 minutes of construction by Kyle Olmon of the salted paper prints into 3D pop-ups that will be included in The Best of the Best artist book.
EXTRAS
Blooper Cut.
A Bloopers cut from The Best of the Best: A Virtual Artist Book.
CREDITS
Director / Producer
R. J. Kern
Collaborators
Eric Kunsman, erickunsman.com
Kyle Olmon, kyleolmon.com
Jennifer Phelps, Burnet Fine Art & Advisory
Deborah Ultan, University of Minnesota
Independence Barnes
R. J. Kern
Videography / Production
Independence Barnes
Adam Montoya, Hill + Valley Creative
R. J. Kern
Web Programming Consultant
Chris Just
Music
“Jindupe” by Lauren Duski, YouTube Studio
© 2020 R. J. Kern, Kern Photography, LLC. All rights reserved.