What is an Art Book?

For the fourth volume of "What is an Art Book?", The Modern Language Experiment collaborates with Space n.n during Super Book Weekend in Munich.

As part of the overall event, The Modern Language Experiment also participated in Super Books 6 at Haus der Kunst, with a TMLE stand present at the institution from 24 to 26 October 2025.

An art book today can occupy many positions: a piece of theory, a catalogue of artworks, a printed exhibition, a supplement to an existing piece, or a work of art in itself. It can be a proposal for the future, an examination of the present, or a record of what has passed. "What is an Art Book?" is a continuing investigation of the art book's material, conceptual, industrial and political concerns, carried out with the TMLE network and Munich's art makers.

Over 50 artists, writers, curators and other practitioners are invited to respond to the title with their own interpretation of what an art book means to them and their practice. Contributions can be text, drawings, photographs, sculpture, performance, audio, video or any concept or theory, as long as it can be realised on A4 paper in black and white. Every contributor receives a copy of the finished book.

Over the three days, Space n.n works as an exhibition space, a production house and a place of discourse while the book is made. The finished book is donated to public collections in the UK and, for the first time, in Munich.

The book is now published by ICON Verlag.