Richard Minsky is an American scholar of book binding and a book artist. Minsky obtained his first printing press in 1960, at the age of 13. He wanted to replace rubber stamps that he was previously using. Richard Minsky is a pivotal figure in the book arts community. He created a framework for an artist-driven teaching and exhibit space that has been recreated all over the country. As a founder of the Center For Book Arts in New York City, he fought for book art to be considered a fine art rather than a craft.

In 1974, Minsky founded the Center for Book Arts in Manhattan. The organization’s goal is to study the book as contemporary art while preserving them. Richard Minsky’s collection mainly focuses on the art of book binding. This collection is made up of personal papers, photographs, and publications that detail his career and provides education on book art to his audience.

While examining his collection, I am amazed with the materials and colors used to make these books set apart from others. The one that stood out the most to me was the book binding entitled “Fireworks: A History of Celebration” by George Plimpton. When Minsky bound this book he used acrylic paint, live fireworks, and hurricane matches. The art is actually 3D and literally popping off the cover. As an art historian, in my opinion many of his works resemble pop art, a style of art that uses everyday items in bold colors. He gets really creative with his book bindings and I am sure if I saw any of these on a bookshelf, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.

Works Cited

• “Book Art, Books, Lectures and Workshops by Richard Minsky.” Book Art, Books, Lectures and
  Workshops by Richard Minsky, www.minsky.com/.
• “Material Meets Metaphor: A Half Century of Book Art by Richard Minsky.” ILAB, Yale
  University, 29 Nov. 2010, ilab.org/events/material-meets-metaphor-half-century-book-art-
  richard-minsky.

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