Pecanins (Yani) artists' books, 1980-2008

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Summary

Title:

Yani Pecanins artists' books

Dates:

1980-2008

Creators:

Pecanins, Yani, 1957-

Abstract:

The collection comprises eighteen artists' books created by Mexican artist Yani Pecanins. Most of the books are unique (i.e., the artist only made one copy) and incorporate found objects, such as washing boards, spools of thread, newspaper, needles, combs, plates, and clothing fragments. Most are three-dimensional constructs rather than book-like in nature.

Extent:

6.8 linear feet (12 boxes and 1 oversized folder)

Language:

The collection is in Spanish and English.

Preferred citation:

Yani Pecanins Artists' Books. MS-M026. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

Biographical / historical:

Mexican mixed-media artist Yani Pecanins is best known for her artists' books. Many of her books tell stories about women's lives and incorporate everyday found objects, such as clothing, needles, threads, and pins. Her books often feature handwritten texts exploring sensation, intimacy, and the inner worlds of herself and others.

Pecanins was born in Mexico in 1957 of immigrant German and Catalan parents. Pecanins began creating artists' books in 1977 when she established Cocina Ediciones to publish books and portfolios for artists. Beginning in 1980 she began to create unique artists' books with found objects. In 1984 she established an art gallery and bookstore, El Archivero, with two other artists, Gabriel Macotela and Armando Saez, which only lasted a few years. Pecanins has exhibited her art throughout Mexico and the United States. In recent years, she has created art objects and installations that transcend the book format.

Acquisition information:

Acquired in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2009.

Processing information:

Processed by Karen Rosen in 2002, Michelle Light in 2008, Cyndi Shein in 2008 and Dawn Schmitz in 2009.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in alphabetical order.

Accruals:

Additions are expected.

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Bibliography:

National Museum of Women in the Arts, Library and Research Center. "Yani Pecanins." In Clara Database of Women Artists. Available at http://www.nmwa.org/clara. Accessed 15 January 2008.

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Clothing and dress in art.
Shoes in art.
Childhood in art.
Girls in art.
Women in art.
Artists' books -- Mexico -- 21st century -- Women authors.
Artists' books -- Mexico -- 20th century -- Women authors.
Found objects -- 21st century.
Found objects -- 20th century.
Collages -- 21st century.
Embroidery (visual works) -- 21st century.
Embroidery (visual works) -- 20th century.
Unique books -- 21st century.
Unique books -- 20th century.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Processed by Karen Rosen, Michelle Light, Cyndi Shein, and Dawn Schmitz; machine-readable finding aid created by Michelle Light
Date Encoded:: Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 2009.

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. Intellectual property rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.