Archabet Artist's Book by Karen Wirth
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
Archabet is an artist’s book exploring how letters of the alphabet are echoed in architecture. All photos taken by Karen Wirth. A giant version of this piece is currently on display in MCBA’s Outlook Gallery.
“The schematic alphabet drawings are from Johann David Steinbruber’s Architectural Alphabet, published in 1773. The letter J is my own invention.
This edition version of Archabet was Image Press printed on Mohawk Via Vellum Radiant White. The first version of Archabet is a six-foot high drum leaf bound book that was installed in the Outlook Gallery at Minnesota Center for Book Arts.” - Karen Wirth
10.5” x 3.75”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
Archabet is an artist’s book exploring how letters of the alphabet are echoed in architecture. All photos taken by Karen Wirth. A giant version of this piece is currently on display in MCBA’s Outlook Gallery.
“The schematic alphabet drawings are from Johann David Steinbruber’s Architectural Alphabet, published in 1773. The letter J is my own invention.
This edition version of Archabet was Image Press printed on Mohawk Via Vellum Radiant White. The first version of Archabet is a six-foot high drum leaf bound book that was installed in the Outlook Gallery at Minnesota Center for Book Arts.” - Karen Wirth
10.5” x 3.75”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is currently on display as a part of Building / Books | Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition, on view in our Main Gallery and Outlook Gallery through June 8, 2025.
Archabet is an artist’s book exploring how letters of the alphabet are echoed in architecture. All photos taken by Karen Wirth. A giant version of this piece is currently on display in MCBA’s Outlook Gallery.
“The schematic alphabet drawings are from Johann David Steinbruber’s Architectural Alphabet, published in 1773. The letter J is my own invention.
This edition version of Archabet was Image Press printed on Mohawk Via Vellum Radiant White. The first version of Archabet is a six-foot high drum leaf bound book that was installed in the Outlook Gallery at Minnesota Center for Book Arts.” - Karen Wirth
10.5” x 3.75”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
Karen Wirth (she/her) is an artist and educator whose artwork ranges from books and sculpture to architecture. She co-designed the sculptural staircase at Open Book and four blue line light rail stations, all in Minneapolis. Her books include offset editions, one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces, and room-sized installations. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and is in many collections, including the Museum of Modern Art Library, The Walker Art Center, the Getty Center, and Yale University. She is a 2024 McKnight Fellow in Book Arts.
