Is an Altered Book Art?

Every so often, I see a debate raging about whether or not an altered book is art.  To be honest, some people don't "get" altered books. They ask why?  The answer is "why not?"   Why make any form of creative project?  Why paint with oils?  Why compose a symphony?  Why write a poem?  Why design jewelry?   You do it because you can, and because it releases and gives physical form to your creative energies.

If you think of an altered book as being another art form -- with the book itself being the canvas and the various items used to decorate it being the media -- then  perhaps it will make more sense to you.

Then of course there is the debate about what is art and what is craft.  Does anyone really know the answer to that?  I like this quote by Marshall McLuhan:

"Art is anything you can get away with."­ Marshall McLuhan

I know many altered book artists who consider their work to be art. I know others who call their projects a craft.  Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

Some one once said that art is something you create yourself and a craft is something in which you use a pattern created by someone else.  By that definition, an original oil painting is art. A paint by numbers is a craft.   However, that explanation doesn't seem to cover all the basis.

What about quality and skill?  Is a poorly done original project art but a beautifully done project made from a pattern a craft?

Does it matter? 

Whether you call an altered book an art or a craft is up to you.  Just enjoy the journey.