Descriptive Summary
Important Information for Researchers
Biography
Bibliography
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Yani Pecanins artists' books
Date: 1980-2008
Collection Number: MS-M026
Creator:
Pecanins, Yani, 1957-
Extent:
6.8 linear feet
(12 boxes and 1 oversized folder)
Languages: The collection is in Spanish and
English.
Repository:
University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives.
Irvine, California 92623-9557
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.
Important Information for Researchers
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
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.
Acquisition Information
Acquired in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2009.
Accruals
Additions are expected.
Processing History
Processed by Karen Rosen in 2002, Michelle Light in 2008, Cyndi Shein in 2008 and Dawn Schmitz in 2009.
Biography
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.
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.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
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.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged in alphabetical order.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Pecanins, Yani, 1957-
Clothing and dress in art.
Shoes in art.
Childhood in art.
Girls in art.
Women in art.
Genres and Formats of Materials
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.
