In the last decades the artist book practice has grown in importance, as can be seen from the interest shown towards the many artist book exhibitions and towards the publications made by worldwide famous artists. Among these artist book publishers, Three Star Books and Thea Westreich/Ethan Wagner Publications are here hosted by Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa's venues in Venice. In St. Mark's Square Gallery displays the two publishers present a selection of their publications. The installation is curated and designed by Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija (b. 1961).

Rirkrit Tiravanija has proposed a terrarium installation (on view from June 2 until July 1, 2011) depicting a wild landscape in which the books of both publishers co-habitate in a rocky terrain. The use of the terrarium is a loaded subject in contemporary art – recalling the aquariums of Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, the naturalist investigations of artist Mark Dion, having as a forerunner the shop window displays of Andy Warhol and the Pop generation. The physical display of books has also featured in recent art, as seen in the library projects of artists such as Clegg & Guttmann, Heimo Zobernig and Vito Acconci.

Rirkrit Tiravanija is one of the most outstanding international artists since the Nineties, mostly known for his work in the relational art practices. Tiravanija's installations have been presented worldwide in museums and galleries including solo exhibitions at Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, The Museum of Modern Art (New York), Sao Paulo Biennial (Brazil), and The Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art among many others.

This current installation in Venice marks the second collaboration for the French and American publishers, an occasion for both artist and publisher to engage and design projects which are in themselves, artworks.