Bibliographic Performances & Surrogate Readings is a new book by artist, curator and bibliographer Janelle Rebel that examines the imaginative realm of books and libraries and the interpretive structures of subject bibliographies. 

It is the first monograph of its kind to historicise, theorise and survey two decades of what the author refers to as contemporary visual bibliography or experimental subject bibliography – artistic and poetic projects that explore artifactual, intellectual, spatial and design possibilities.

Ranging from artists’ books and web databases to stack interventions and reading room installations, Bibliographic Performances & Surrogate Readings reviews over fifty compelling visio-bibliographic examples created by a diverse community of international cultural workers.

The Everyday Press, 354pp, 12.6cm x 19cm, illustrated paperback, 2024