We were asked at short notice to play a part in St Faiths Church involvement of Open House Melbourne.  This church reveals  interesting and lively expressions of faith with delightful historic architecture thoughtful modern spaces for worship. The acoustics allows the local choral group to shine.

The Victorian Booking Guild, known also as  Bookbinding Victoria and Bookarts Victoria,  is  pleased to share the facilities there with the traditions of historic bookbinding and modern book arts are complemented by the facilities of the rear hall.

Our display was set up, with the intention of telling a number of stories, from the origins of writing, to the stages of development of the book to the form

we know,  the content and history of writing to the methods, practice of different styles of book making, and the modern arts telling stories in shape and form.

One comment by a visitor. " it was a delight to see the flow of ideas in the items on display. Lots of artwork is often shown as individual items without the context of the items around them." Indeed was perhaps a bit over-enthusiastic in the number of pieces, but some of many styles , with many  techniques on show.

So a walkaround.  In the centre of the room, a circular table, with writing implements and artefacts from the early clay tablets of mesopotamia, to writing on bone in China, brush strokes and ink from China, palm leave  (imitations) , papyrus,  the first codex style, and scrolls.

The circular table walk finished with the basics of modern bookbinding, the simplest of tools and materials needed to make a book. ( Sorry a new camera next couple of shots missing). Member Tim Morrow  supplied these materials.

Down the side is a display of book models, part finished books showing the techniques of binding styles which have developed from the simple Nag Hammadi codex to the sophistication of fine binding.

The display then showed some items in progress from repairs to book sheets awaiting attention.  The display continued with a wide variety of traditional styles with artistic additions.   

Finally a table of Art bindings provided by Gail Stiffe of  Papermakers Victoria, (members in both organizations.)  The bookarts explore the  the form of paper and natural materials combined with a variety of techniques to be expressive with form and colour in different ways to the traditional book form.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this glimpse of books as much as I enjoyed presenting it. Jim