Breaking the Rules - The Printed Face of the European Avant Garde 1900-1937

British Library exhibition, Breaking the Rules (9 November 2007 - 30 March 2008), explores the creative transformation that took place in Europe during the first four decades of the 20th century - a revolution that encompassed visual art, design, photography, literature, theatre, music and architecture. The accompanying book describes and illustrates the printed work of Avant Garde poets and artists, including their manifestos, poetry, magazines, artists' books and photography.

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. Such groups were often synonymous with specific magazines and this period was the last one in which the printed format was the primary mode for communicating information; film and broadcasting were ready to take over.

This illustrated 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. In addition, around 30 cities of particular importance to the avant garde are featured, and their artists and contributions are described in depth.

The publication contains around 100 illustrations in both colour and black-and-white of the range of avant-garde printed work, giving a unique insight into a little-studied aspect of the avant garde.

For further information, images or review copies, contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office: +44(0)20 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk

Notes to Editors

Breaking the Rules: The Printed Face of the European Avant Garde 1900-1937, edited by Stephen Bury is published by the British Library on 9 November 2007. 160 pages, 244 x 172mm. ISBN 978 0 7123 0975 2. Available in hardback £25.00 or paperback £15.95 from the British Library Shop (tel: +44(0)20 7412 7735 / e-mail: bl-bookshop@bl.uk ) and online at www.bl.uk/shop as well as other bookshops throughout the UK.

Dr Stephen Bury, Head of European and American Collections studied Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, 1972-5 and won the H.W.C. Davis University History Prize in 1973. He was Librarian of Chelsea School of Art 1985-2000. He has published widely on 20th and 21st century art, including 'Artists' Books' (1995) and 'Artists' Multiples' (2001), contributed to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004) and has written regularly for 'Art Monthly' since 1997. Whilst at Chelsea School of Art, he taught on the MA History and Theory of Modern Art and he continues to supervise PhD students. Stephen is Chair of the Board of Book Works and on the Board of Matt's Gallery, London.