Paper decoration and bookbiding workshop – with Professione Libro, in Turin

Paste, Paper & Sewings:
decorated papers and limp bindings
from historical models

18th-19th may (sat-sun)
Bottega Fagnola (workshop), Turin, Italy

Two days dedicated to decorated papers and the paper binding ‘alla veneziana’, to learn by doing how these papers were made and how they were used to bind ancient books, with techniques that can be reproduced nowadays.

Program

In the first part of the workshop we will make paste papers according to historical models (pattern, recipes, materials) and it will be possible to experiment modern alternatives and easy to find materials. We will create sprinkled papers and we will use sponges, decorated rolls, points and tips in various sizes to create patterns. The traditional paste recipe will be shown, such as the available alternatives with modern materials.

The papers decorated during the workshop will be used in the second part to create the binding ‘alla veneziana’: the sections, traditionally sewn on alum tawed leather strings, are set up on fine cord or tape of ramie (both less bulky and thick than leather), whose ends are then connected and attached directly to the cover.
This consists of a simple rectangle of a thin soft cotton card, which traditionally is folded inward on all four sides (head, tail and fore edges), to which are glued the endpapers.
Also, it will be possible to make a small mock-up of the structure, in order to keep track for future reference.

To whom it is addressed

The workshop is for amateurs and paper and book professionals: calligraphers, illustrators, origamists, but also students, researchers and professionals that look at books for research or conservation: conservators, librarians, antiquarian booksellers, book historians, book conservators and students of these disciplines.
Previous knowledge it is not required: just will to experiment.

Teachers

Paola Fagnola

Grown up in Bottega Fagnola, begins binding books at 16,  she perfected her knowledge at Centro del Bel Libro di Ascona (CH) and strats design and fine bookinding: since 2007 she enters international competition, in 2014 wins the 1st Prize at the Pieces for Peace competition, since 2015 is part of the Biennale Mondiale de la Reliure d’Art Jury. Book conservator, in 2016 she graduated in Book and Paper Conservation at SAF-ICRCPAL in Rome, where she is now teaching.

Cristina Balbiano d’Aramengo

Graduated at Accademia di Brera in 1990, she’s been Teacher assistant in Aosta in the course for Book conservators and she worked as Book Conservator in Roma at the Laboratorio di Restauro Scientifico del Libro.
In 1993 she opened her own studio in Milan, while completing her professional development at the Centro del bel libro in Ascona (CH). In 2005 she founded Professione Libro, for the Association she organizes workshop and seminars about craft bookbinding, fine and design binding, book and paper conservation, paper decoration, book arts, box making.
Her bindings have been exposed in Italy, UK, France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, USA.

Informations & Registration

The course will take place saturday and sunday 18th-19th may 2019
from 9,30 AM to 6,30 PM, 1h30min lunch break,
in the workshop in via Orvieto 19, Torino.

Participation fee is 245 €, it includes all the materials and the use of tools provided by the teachers.

Membership to the Association Professione Libro is required.
Yearly membership fee is 25 € and gives access to discount in partner shops, reserved to members.

Places are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.