The Book As Art v.12: Rock, Paper, Scissors

The Book As Art v.12: Rock, Paper, Scissors is the twelfth edition of an art show celebrating books as objects that stubbornly survive in an increasingly digital world. Rock, Paper, Scissors draws inspiration from the childhood game of chance, which has origins dating back to Han Dynasty China and later Japan. The game uses hand symbols and a mathematical formula to produce decisions, blending history, nature, and mathematics with a bit of luck.

The exhibition seeks to showcase beautifully made volumes, sculptural and conceptual interpretations, and one-of-a-kind approaches to the book format. Artists are challenged to interpret the concept of the book and invite viewers to look beyond the printed page to where ideas, words, and symbols are transformed. Wall-hung interpretations are encouraged. International artists are welcome to submit, though shipping may take longer than expected, be more expensive than planned, or may not be accessible to some artists.

The exhibition runs September 5 - October 28, 2024, in Decatur, Georgia. Entry deadline is June 23, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Entry fee is $30 for up to three artworks. Each entry may include 1-5 images and up to 1 video (6 total samples maximum). Artists may submit work for sale; the Decatur Arts Alliance collects a 25% commission on all artwork sold. Awards include First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($700), Third Place ($500), and the Emory University Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archive & Rare Book Library Purchase Prize (up to $2,000). Jury decisions will be sent via email no later than July 19, 2024. Several artist talks and discussions are planned throughout the exhibition run.