Breaking the rules

Between 1900 and 1937 the avant garde consisted of a series of overlapping movements, such as Cubism, Expressionism, Futurism, Dadaism, Constructivism and Surrealism. Because of its very nature, the avant garde was denied traditional modes of communication and exhibition, so participants became adept at finding alternative outlets, publishing their own manifestos, poetry, magazines and books, and creating new genres, such as the artist’s book and the photo-book. These frequently employed innovative design and typography, still influential today. This book focuses on the printed work of avant garde participants, demonstrating its importance to the various groups and the way in which printed works helped to disseminate information and ideas internationally.Publication is timed to coincide with the major autumn exhibition of the same name at the British Library. It contains around 100 illustrations of avant garde printed work, giving a unique insight into a little-studied aspect of the avant garde. Thirty cities of particular importance to the avant garde are featured, and their artists and contributions are described in depth.