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8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018 – Installing the Exhibition
July 16, 2018 in Artists book, Events, Gallery by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Installing the Artist’s Book Triennial in Vilnius
Theme: “Memento Mori“
Opening at 6 p.m., 19th of July 2018
Time: 19 July – 23 September 2018
Location: The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Address: Gedimino ave. 51, Vilnius
Now come the time to install the Artist’s Book Triennial in Vilnius!
Organiser of the Triennial: Circle “Bokartas”
Curator: Kestutis Vasiliunas
In Cooperation with:
Vilnius Academy of Arts, Graphic Art Department, Vilnius, Lithuania;
IAKH: Globus Galerie + Edition Lebensretter, Leipzig, Germany;
ISIA, Urbino, Italy;
Festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro”, Italy;
The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
Città di Vercelli & “Museo Leone”, Vercelli, Italy;
“Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venezia, Italy;
Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, USA;
Reed Library of the State University of New York at Fredonia, USA.
Main Sponsor: Lithuanian Council for Culture
Information sponsor: http://artistsbook.lt/abc-news/
© Photos: Agota Afra
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
8th Artist’s Book Triennial in Vilnius 2018 – Poster of the Exhibition
July 13, 2018 in Artists book, Events, Gallery by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Theme: “Memento Mori“
Time: 19 July – 23 September 2018
Location: The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Organiser of the Triennial: Circle “Bokartas”
Curator: Kestutis Vasiliunas
In Cooperation with:
Vilnius Academy of Arts, Graphic Art Department, Vilnius, Lithuania;
IAKH: Globus Galerie + Edition Lebensretter, Leipzig, Germany;
ISIA, Urbino, Italy;
Festival “Urbino e le Citta del Libro”, Italy;
The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
“Museo Leone”, Vercelli, Italy;
“Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venezia, Italy;
Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, USA;
Reed Library of the State University of New York at Fredonia,USA.
Main Sponsor: Lithuanian Council for Culture
Information sponsor: http://artistsbook.lt/abc-news/
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
8-oji Vilniaus tarptautinė dailininko knygos trienalė 2018 – Pranešimas spaudai
July 13, 2018 in Artists book, Events, Gallery by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8-oji Vilniaus tarptautinė dailininko knygos trienalė 2018
„Memento Mori“
2018 m. liepos 19 d. – rugsėjo 23 d.
Lietuvos nacionalinė Martyno Mažvydo biblioteka
Projekto organizatorius – „Bokartas“
Kuratorius – Kęstutis Vasiliūnas
Parodos atidarymas liepos 19 d. 18 val.
„8-oji Vilniaus tarptautinė dailininko knygos trienalė 2018“ yra tęstinis tarptautinis edukacinis projektas. Šio projekto parodos yra tarp svarbiausių „dailininko knygos“ parodų ne tik Europoje, bet ir pasaulyje. Trienalė aktuali jos dalyviams ir žiūrovams dėl kelių priežasčių – pirmiausia dėl labai aukštos eksponatų kokybės, taip pat dėl augančio visuotinio susidomėjimo „dailininko knyga“ kaip tarpdisciplininiu menu, kurį gali kurti visų sričių menininkai, studentai ir net vaikai.
„Dailininko knyga“ – tai idėjos įkūnijimas ir konceptualiu, ir amato lygmeniu. „Dailininko knygos trienalė“ yra idėjų bankas grafiniams dizaineriams, knygų įrišėjams, tipografams, konceptualaus ir instaliatyvaus meno kūrėjams, dėstytojams ir studentams. Tai unikalus nekomercinis projektas, kuriame taikoma griežta kūrinių atranka, sulaukiantis daug dėmesio ir iš menininkų, ir iš muziejų, galerijų ar universitetų. Per 21 trienalės veiklos metus „dailininko knygos“ buvo eksponuotos ne tik Vilniuje, bet ir Leipcige, Frankfurte, Hamburge, Rheine (Vokietijoje), Lilyje (Prancūzijoje), Silkeborge (Danijoje), Venecijoje, Verčelyje (Italijoje), Seule (Pietų Korėjoje), Halmstade (Švedijoje), Zalcburge (Austrijoje). Į trienalės parodas buvo atrinkti 838 menininkai iš 65 šalių.
„8-oji Vilniaus tarptautinė dailininko knygos trienalė 2018“ šiais metais jau buvo eksponuota Leipcigo knygų mugėje ir knygos meno festivalyje „Urbino e le Città del Libro“ Urbine, Italijoje. Po parodos Vilniuje, Nacionalinėje bibliotekoje, 2019 metais „8-oji dailininko knygos trienalė“ bus eksponuojama galerijoje „SG“ Venecijoje ir „Museo Leone“ Verčelyje, Italijoje, „Evanston Art Center“ Evanstone ir „Reed Library of the State University of New York at Fredonia“ JAV.
Tarptautinis žiuri pagrindinį prizą skyrė menininkei iš Čilės Magdalenai Cordero Echeverriai.
Nacionalinėje bibliotekoje „dailininko knygos“ bus eksponuojamos kartu su senaisiais bibliotekos dokumentais „Memento Mori“ tema. Tai unikalus projektas, kuriame pirmą kartą pateikiamos senosios spausdintinės ir šiuolaikinės „dailininko knygos“ vienoje ekspozicinėje erdvėje.
„Tarptautinės dailininko knygos trienalės“ periodiškai organizuojamos nuo 1997 metų. Skirtingos ir provokacinės trienalės temos skatina menininkus neapsiriboti individualiais išgyvenimais ir nuotaikomis ir, atmetus „gražios“ knygos sampratą (ir net jos paiešką) kaip snobišką ir komercinę, konceptualiai apmąstyti temą. Knyga kaip slapčiausia menininko fantazija, kaip neparašyta poema ar nesukurtas filmas, knyga-objektas priešpriešinama funkcionaliai, iliustruotai, gražiai įrištai ir ant gero popieriaus atspausdintai knygai. „Dailininko knygose“ nerasime įprasto informatyvaus teksto ir paveikslėlių. Jos pačios savo pavidalu byloja apie menininką ir mus supantį pasaulį. Jos kalba mums keisčiausiomis formomis ir meninėmis priemonėmis, laike ir uždarai atviroje erdvėje.
Šių metų parodos tema – „Memento Mori“ – turėjo paskatinti menininkus susimąstyti ne apie artėjančią mirtį, kuri medžiaginėje plotmėje neišvengiama, bet apie gyvenimą. Apie žmogų, kuris yra nemirtingas, kuriam žemiškas „miegas“ yra tiktai atvertos durys į amžinybę, į amžiną gyvenimą Džiaugsme. Kuriam net sunki mirtis ar prievartinė žūtis, baisiausias teroro aktas gali tapti kankinystės ir šventumo keliu į dangų. Tačiau kiek daug yra tokių, kurie „jau dabar yra mirę“ savo noru, nors ir vaikšto tarp mūsų lyg gyvieji. Tai ko jie dar vis bijo? Ko jie klykia ir verkia, bėga ir skundžiasi dėl aplink juos šmėžuojančios mirties, jeigu jie patys yra mirties vaikai? Nuo ko jie bėga? Nuo nebūties, nes tik šis trumpalaikis gyvenimas jiems yra būtis? O kas gi tokio gąsdinančio nebūtyje, jeigu joje (už jos?) nėra Amžinybės su palaima arba amžina kančia? Juk kiekvienas „gaus tai, kuo tikėjo“. Ar turi prasmę tas bėgimas nuo mirties, jeigu jis laikinai ir įmanomas, prailginant savo egzistenciją viena kita diena, jeigu vis tiek judi į nebūtį nuo pat gimimo akimirkos? Tad nebūkime mirusieji, einantys į tamsų kapą. Būkime šviesos vaikai, laukiantys amžinojo Džiaugsmo.
Projekto partneris: Lietuvos nacionalinė Martyno Mažvydo biblioteka
Pagrindinis projekto rėmėjas – Lietuvos kultūros taryba
Informacinis rėmėjas – http://artistsbook.lt/abc-news/
Daugiau informacijos apie organizuojamą parodą:
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018 – Press Release
July 13, 2018 in Artists book, Events, Gallery by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
“Memento Mori”
Time: 19 July – 23 September 2018
Location: The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Opening of the Exhibition: 19 July at 6 p.m.
Project organizer: Circle “Bokartas“
Curator: Kestutis Vasiliunas
The “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” is a continuous international educational project. The exhibitions held as part of this project are among the most important “Artist’s Books” exhibitions both in Europe and globally. The Triennial is relevant for both its participants and visitors for several reasons: primarily due to the particularly high level of quality of exhibits and also due to the increasing popularity of the “artist’s book” as an interdisciplinary art which can be pursued by all kinds of artists, students and even children.
The “artist’s book” is an embodiment of an idea on a conceptual and a craft level. The “Artist’s Book Triennial” serves as a bank of ideas for graphic designers, book binders, typographers, conceptual and installation artists, as well as lecturers and students. It is a unique non-commercial project which employs strict criteria for selecting works of art and which receives a lot of attention from artists, museums, galleries and universities. During the 21 year of the triennial history, the artist’s books have been displayed not only in Vilnius but also in Leipzig, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Rheine (Germany), Lille (France), Silkeborg (Denmark), Venice, Vercelli (Italy), Seoul (South Korea), Halmstad (Sweden), and Salzburg (Austria). A total of 838 artists from 65 countries have been selected to participate in the triennial exhibitions.
Earlier this year the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” has already been held in the Leipzig Book Fair and in the book art festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro” in Urbino, Italy. Following the exhibition at the National Library in Vilnius, in 2019, the “8th Artist’s Book Triennial” will be held at the SG Gallery in Venice and the Museo Leone in Vercelli, Italy, at Evanston Art Centre and Reed Library of the State University of New York at Fredonia, in the U.S.
The international grand jury panel awarded the Main Prize to the artist Magdalena Cordero Echeverria from Chile.
The artist’s books will be displayed at the National Library alongside the library’s old documents associated with the topic “Memento Mori”. It is a unique project since the old printed books and the modern artist’s books are for the first time presented at the same exhibition space.
International artist’s books triennials have been periodically held since 1997. A variety of thought-provoking topics of these triennials encourage artists to transcend their individual experiences and moods and to reflect on the topic in conceptual terms rejecting the concept of the “beautiful” book (and even the search for it) as arrogant and commercial. A book as the artist’s innermost fantasy, as an unwritten poem or a film never created, a book-object stands in sharp contrast to the functional, illustrated, well-bound book printed on fine paper. We will not find any informative texts or pictures in the artist’s books. They themselves are a reflection of the artist and the surrounding world. They speak to us in strangest forms and means of expression, across time and in a closed yet open space.
This year the exhibition revolves around the topic “Memento Mori”. Rather than delving into reflections about the approaching death which is unavoidable in the material dimension, this topic was expected to encourage artists to reflect on life. On a human being who is immortal and to whom the earthly “sleep” serves as a door to eternity, to the eternal life in Joy. To whom even a torturous death or cruel loss of life or the most horrible terror attack may become a path of martyrdom and holiness leading to heaven. However, there are plenty of those who are already willingly “dead” although they are still walking among the living. So what is it that they are still afraid of? Why are they screaming and crying, running and complaining about the death surrounding them if they themselves are the children of death? What are they running from? Are they running from the nothingness because for them, only this temporary life counts as being? But what is so terrible about nothingness if it there is no Eternity and the blissfulness or suffering in it (beyond it?). After all, everyone will “get what they believed in”. Is running from death meaningful even if this fleeting pursuit can be achieved for a short moment by extending your existence a day or two, knowing that you are still moving towards nothingness from the day you are born? So let us not be the dead headed to a dark grave. Let us be the children of light who are waiting for the eternal Joy.
In Cooperation with: The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
Main sponsor of the Project: Lithuanian Council for Culture
Information sponsor: http://artistsbook.lt/abc-news/
Translating to English by: The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius – First Prize to Magdalena Cordero Echeverria!
July 2, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
First Prize to Magdalena Cordero Echeverria from Chile!
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Theme: “Memento Mori“
International Jury Members decided to give the First Prize to Magdalena Cordero Echeverria from Chile. Congratulation!
International Jury:
Dr. Michael Braunsteiner – Art Director, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria;
Mag. Barbara Eisner-B. – Initiator & Guest Curator, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria;
Prof. Martin Gredler – Werbe Design Akademie, Salzburg, Austria;
Roberta Vaigeltaite-V. – Artist, Artist’s Book Creator, Lithuania;
Evaldas Mikalauskis – Artist, Artist’s Book Creator, Lithuania;
Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas – Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania.
Organiser of the Triennial: Circle “Bokartas”
Curator: Kestutis Vasiliunas
In Cooperation with:
Vilnius Academy of Arts, Graphic Art Department, Vilnius, Lithuania;
IAKH: Globus Galerie + Edition Lebensretter, Leipzig, Germany;
ISIA, Urbino, Italy;
Festival “Urbino e le Citta del Libro”, Italy;
The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
“Museo Leone”, Vercelli, Italy;
“Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venezia, Italy;
Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, USA;
Fredonia State University, USA.
Main Sponsor: Lithuanian Council for Culture
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
Timelines – 8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Rare Books and Manuscripts in the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial
June 25, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Rare Books & Manuscripts in the 8th Artist‘s Book Triennial in Vilnius
Theme: Memento Mori
Time: 19 July – 23 September 2018
Location: The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
It will be the first time when the “International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius” in the Exhibition will show not only artist’s books, but also rare books and manuscripts from the Documentary Heritage Research Department, Rare Books and Manuscripts Unit from the Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania.
In Cooperation with:
Vilnius Academy of Arts, Graphic Art Department, Vilnius, Lithuania;
IAKH: Globus Galerie + Edition Lebensretter, Leipzig, Germany;
ISIA, Urbino, Italy;
Festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro”, Italy;
The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
“Museo Leone”, Vercelli, Italy;
“Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venezia, Italy;
Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, USA;
Fredonia State University, USA.
Main Sponsor: Lithuanian Council for Culture
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
Artist’s Book Triennial: ‘Memento Mori’
June 20, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
The Topic of the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial – ‘Memento Mori’
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
The topic of the ‘8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018’ – ‘Memento Mori’ – was supposed to stimulate reflection upon life, not about the upcoming death that is inevitable in the material sphere. It’s about an immortal human, to whom earthly ‘sleep’ is only an open door to eternity, to eternal life in Bliss. To whom a tough or violent death, or a most horrid act of terror may become a road of martyrdom and sainthood leading to Heaven. But how numerous are those ‘already dead’ by their own will, even though they yet walk among the living. What is it that still frightens them? Being the children of death, why do they continue to scream and weep, squeal and try to escape its creeping embrace? What are they running from? Is it the non-existence, for they only recognize this brief period of life as existence? But what is so terrifying about the non-existence if there is no eternal bliss or suffering within (or beyond) it. After all, everyone is going to get ‘that which they believed in’. So, is there a sense in the efforts to escape death, considering its temporality and humble chances to prolong one’s existence by no more than several days in the natural condition of move towards non-existence since the very birth moment? Thus, let us not become the dead, marching towards their dusky grave. Let us rather become the children of light, awaiting the eternal Bliss.
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Triennial
8-oji Vilniaus tarptautinė dailininko knygos trienalė 2018
Trienalės tema: „Memento Mori“
Šių metų parodos tema – „Memento Mori“ – turėjo paskatinti menininkus susimąstyti ne apie artėjančią mirtį, kuri medžiaginėje plotmėje yra neišvengiama, bet apie Gyvenimą. Apie žmogų, kuris yra nemirtingas, kuriam žemiškas „miegas“ yra tiktai atvertos durys į amžinybę, į amžiną gyvenimą Džiaugsme. Kuriam net sunki mirtis ar prievartinė žūtis, baisiausias teroro aktas gali tapti kankinystės ir šventumo keliu į dangų. Tačiau kiek daug yra tokių, kurie „jau dabar yra mirę“ savo noru, nors ir vaikšto tarp mūsų lyg gyvieji. Tai ko jie dar vis bijo? Ko jie klykia ir verkia, bėga ir skundžiasi dėl aplink juos šmėžuojančios mirties, jeigu jie patys yra mirties vaikai? Nuo ko jie bėga? Nuo nebūties, nes tik šis trumpalaikis gyvenimas jiems yra būtis? O kas gi tokio gąsdinančio nebūtyje, jeigu joje (už jos?) nėra Amžinybės su palaima arba amžina kančia? Juk kiekvienas „gaus tai, kuo tikėjo“. Ar turi prasmę tas bėgimas nuo mirties, jeigu jis laikinai ir įmanomas, prailginant savo egzistenciją viena kita diena, jeigu vis tiek judi į nebūtį nuo pat gimimo akimirkos? Tad nebūkime mirusieji, einantys į tamsų kapą. Būkime šviesos vaikai, laukiantys amžinojo Džiaugsmo.
Kęstutis Vasiliūnas
kuratorius
8th Artist’s Book Triennial – Artists Selected for the Exhibition in Vilnius
June 20, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
in Vilnius
Theme: Memento Mori
Time: 19 July – 26 August 2018
Location: “Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania”, Vilnius, Lithuania
Opening of the “8th Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” – 19th of July 2018, at 5 p.m.
Artists selected for the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018”:
Name, Surname, Country
Barbara Beisinghoff, Germany
Lene Bennike, Denmark
Catherine Bolle, Switzerland
Frances Breen, Austria
Gabby Cooksey, U.S.A.
Yuko Ebina, Japan
Magdalena Cordero Echeverria, Chile
Margot Fagan, Canada
David Faithfull, Scotland
Vittorio Fava, Italy
Mirabel Fitzgerald, Australia
Timothy Frerichs, U.S.A.
Roberto Gianinetti, Italy
Nancy Hart, U.S.A.
Toshihiro Hattori, Japan
Hisako Inui, Japan
Rasa Januleviciute, Lithuania
Lis Rejnert Jensen, Denmark
Aslaug Jonsdottir, Iceland
Koichi Kiyono, Japan
Kadi Kurema & Kulli Grunbach-Sein, Estonia
Silvia Lepore, Italy
Xiao Fei Li, China
Hanne Matthiesen, Denmark
Peter J. Moosbrugger, Germany
Stephen Mumberson, England
Stephen Murphy, U.S.A.
Alessandra Donnarumma, Italy & Sascha Noatsch, Germany
Maria Schina, Greece
Anna Snaedis Sigmarsdottir, Iceland
Raminta Sumskyte-Sum, Lithuania
Motoko Tachikawa, Japan
Lotte Tauber Lassen, Denmark
Peter & Donna Thomas, U.S.A.
Irma Tonteri, Finland
Anu Tuominen, Finland
Roberta Vaigeltaite-V., Lithuania
Kestutis Vasiliunas, Lithuania
Joseph Johannes Visser, The Netherlands
Yuko Wada, Japan
Organiser of the Triennial: Circle “Bokartas”
Curator of the Triennial: Kestutis Vasiliunas
In Cooperation with:
Vilnius Academy of Arts, Graphic Art Department, Vilnius, Lithuania;
“Internationale Ausstellung für Künstlerbücher und Handpressendrucke” IAKH, Leipzig, Germany;
ISIA, Urbino, Italy;
Festival “Urbino e le Citta del Libro”, Urbino, Italy;
The Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania;
“Museo Leone”, Vercelli, Italy;
“Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venezia, Italy;
Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, USA;
Fredonia State University, USA.
Main Sponsor: Lithuanian Council for Culture
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
Artist’s Book Lectures & Workshop in Urbino 2018
May 16, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Artist’s Book Lectures & Workshop in Urbino
Time: 14-17 May 2018
Location: ISIA Urbino (Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche), Italy
With Professor Cecilia Giampaoli , ISIA Urbino
The ISIA in Urbino invited Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas from Graphic Departments / Vilnius Academy of Arts to give the lectures and to make the artist’s book workshop for the students of ISIA.
Lectures: “Manu Factus: Struttura e forme del libro”.
The theme of the artist’s book workshop “Segni di città” (“Signts of the town”).
Gli studenti saranno invitati a cerare i segni della città di Urbino. L’esercizio ha a che fare con la comunicazione e con il saper leggere e raccontare una città attraverso le piccole cose che la caratterizzano. Dettagli che notiamo sulle vie, sui muri delle case, nei vestiti della gente. Pos- siamo identificare la città in cui viviamo o in cui studiamo attraverso i suoi -segni-?
Cos’è un segno? Con il termine -segno- non intendiamo qui né icone né cartelli (anche se nemmeno li escludiamo). Indichiamo invece l’impronta della città, le tracce che diventano -indice- della sua identità e che possono rendersi visibili in ogni cosa: nei gatti sui tetti, ne- gli anziani o negli stessi studenti che la abitano. -Segni- possono essere i graffiti sui muri o le finestre del palazzo Ducale… qualsiasi cosa che, tuttavia, abbia l’ardire di non essere solo un disegno ma un’idea che caratterizza la città.
The artist’s books, created during the workshop, will be exhibited in the Festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro”, in DATA, Urbino.
© Photos: Agota Afra
© Artist’s Book Creators 2018
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial in Urbino 2018
May 8, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
in the Festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro”
Theme: Memento Mori
Time: 18–20 May 2018
Location: “Data”, Urbino, Italy
In Cooperation with Prof. Cecilia Giampaoli from ISIA Urbino
We are invited to show “8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” in the artist’s book Festival “Urbino e le Città del Libro” (“Urbino – the Town of Book”). In the Festival we plane to show all artist’s books from the “8th Artist’s Book Triennial” in the exhibition in Urbino.
We invite artists to attend on the opening of the “8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” in wonderful town of Urbino.
Before the Festival of artist’s books, Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas will give the lectures and make the 4 days artist’s books workshop for the students of ISIA Urbino (Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche).
Kestutis Vasiliunas
curator of the Triennial
Artist’s Book Exhibition in Tokyo 2018
May 4, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Artist’s Book Exhibition
The Book: Vol.3
Time: 16-28 April 2018
Location: Gallery Saoh, Tokyo, Japan
Curator: Director Mrs. Yoshiko Yokojima
During my visit in Tokyo, together with an artist Koichi Kiyono I have visited the Gallery Saoh. The Gallery is situated in the centre of Tokyo, in the first floor, and has beautiful space for the exhibitions. In the Gallery was installed the artist’s book exhibition “The Book: Vol.3”. Here, in the Gallery Saoh, I met my friends, Japanese artists. Few of them several times participated with wonderful artist’s books in the “International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius”, like Toshihiro Hattori, Yuko Ebina, Ryoko Adachi, Yuko Wada. It was great to meet very kind director and curator of the exhibition of the Gallery Saoh Mrs. Yoshiko Yokojima, to meet other artist’s book creators, to see beautiful artist’s books and to talk with artists.
29 photos from the artist’s book exhibition in Tokyo
Visiting Musashino Art University in Tokyo
April 30, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Visiting Musashino Art University, Museum & Library
During my stay in Tokyo I was invited by Prof. Ryuta Endo to visit Musashino Art University. It is one of most famous art universities in the world. Many famous Japanese and international professors were teaching here, like printmaker Prof. Ryoji Ikeda, which I had the possibility to meet in the 1st International Printmaking Symposium in Bentlage in 2009.
In the Musashino Art University I visited the Printmaking Department where with Prof. Ryuta Endo and Prof. Toshiya Takahama we were discussing about our academies, about printmaking situation, artist’s book and about the cooperation projects between our art universities.
Prof. Toshiya Takahama showed beautiful University Museum with renovated spaces and wonderful new Library designed by architect Sou Fujimoto.
In the winter 2018 Prof. Toshiya Takahama has to arrive in our Graphic Department, in Vilnius Academy of Arts with the lectures and workshop. In 2019 we plane big printmaking project withs professors and students from Japan and Lithuania.
Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas
Vilnius Academy of Arts
Visiting Leipzig Book Fair with Students in 2018
March 29, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Once again: Graphic department students and Kestutis marched to conquer Germany
Text: Dainora Vingyte – student, traveller to Leipzig
A trip to Leipzig, which became a beautiful tradition during the past several years, happened again. On March 13rd to 19th, graphic department students from Vilnius Academy of Arts, with Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas, rolled to Leipzig Book Fair 2018 to get inspired, in addition to visit galleries, museums, and to meet neighbouring Berlin.
A first mission, that we needed to complete, was to safely exhibit wonderful artist’s books in Leipzig Book Fair, participants of the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018”, in a theme called “Memento Mori”. Right before exhibiting, we went to taste gigantic Turkish kebabs, therefore students had loads of energy to help Kestutis and get some practice at exhibiting valuable artist’s books.
After quick and successful work, our first day in Leipzig ended by unexpected appearance in GfZK gallery, and grocery store.
At second day we went back to Leipzig Book Fair, to explore everything we can catch for this day. The most visited area was The Best Book Design From All Over The World 2018, there students spent a lot of time figuring out interesting and innovative designs, but surely did not forget to visit wonderful artists, including Barbara Beisinghoff, Sabine Golde and Patrizia Meinert.
The third day was destined to visit Leipzig Spinnerei, Leipzig Museum für Druckkunst, and Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig, where we compared the old masters with contemporary, virtual, youth art. Between these locations, students visited gigantic art supplies store, and then went bankrupt. (:
On the fourth day we prepared our sandwiches and travelled off to Berlin. At first we visited “Surreal Worlds” exposition at Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, starring René Magritte, Salvador Dali, Yves Tanguy etc., then we went to Hamburger Bahnhof, where we meditated near the works of Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly. Also, we took a long walk in the streets of Berlin, wandered in the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and with a pleasant exhaustion, we travelled back to Leipzig.
The last day in Germany ended up in Leipzig Book Fair. This time – to observe everything we missed or accidentally walked by and to touch our beloved books once again. As the time went by, our hearts were full of inspiration and happiness. Sadly, the last minutes of the fair went too quickly, and we had to take Artist’s Book Triennial back to Lithuania.
This expedition to Germany is one of the most valuable opportunities to a graphic art student, who is interested in artist’s book, book design, illustration, printmaking, and the creativity itself. And now, as we process what we saw and experienced, let’s wait for another trip to Leipzig. Together we had wonderful time!
Photo: Prof. 2Cent.
© Circle “Bokartas”
8th Artist‘s Book Triennial in Leipzig Book Fair 2018
March 23, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
in the Leipzig Book Fair
Theme: Memento Mori
Time: 15-18 March, 2018
Location: Leipzig Book Fair
Halle 3, H501
“Internationale Ausstellung für Künstlerbücher und Handpressendrucke IAKH”
Leipzig, Germany
In Cooperation with:
Internationale Ausstellung für Künstlerbücher und Handpressendrucke IAKH
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Triennial
© Circle “Bokartas”
Invitation to Leipzig Book Fair 2018
March 5, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Invitation for “8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
to Leipzig Book Fair 2018
Kestutis Vasiliunas
curator
8th Artist’s Book Triennial in Leipzig Book Fair – Artists Selected for the Exhibition
March 3, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
in the Leipzig Book Fair
Theme: Memento Mori
Time: 15-18 March, 2018
Location: Halle 3, H501
“IAKH: Globus Galerie + Edition Lebensretter”
Leipzig Book Fair, Germany
Dear Artists,
we have made the selection for the Artist’s Book Exhibition in the Leipzig Book Fair 2018. How we wrote in our website, for each exhibition space we make special collection of artist’s books from the artist’s books selected by international jury. This time we collect smaller artist’s books which we have the possibility to exhibit in the Leipzig Book Fair. Here in the Fair we have some glass showcase where we will exhibit, like always, small artist’s book objects, and some book shelves for showing not heavy and not very big artist’s books.
The big artist’s books, which need tables, we plane to show in Urbino.
Artists selected for the Exhibition in the Leipzig Book Fair 2018:
Name, Surname, Country:
Lyn Ashby, Australia
Barbara Beisinghoff, Germany
Gudrun Bialas, Germany
Catherine Bolle, Switzerland
Frances Breen, Austria
Andras Butak, Hungary
Gabby Cooksey, U.S.A.
Yuko Ebina, Japan
Magdalena Cordero Echeverria, Chile
Margot Fagan, Canada
David Faithfull, Scotland
Mirabel Fitzgerald, Australia
Rene Haljasmae, Estonia
Nancy Hart, U.S.A.
Toshihiro Hattori, Japan
Hisako Inui, Japan
Rasa Januleviciute, Lithuania
Lis Rejnert Jensen, Denmark
Aslaug Jonsdottir, Iceland
Xiao Fei Li, China
Dalia Lopez Madrona, Sweden
Hanne Matthiesen, Denmark
Peter J. Moosbrugger, Germany
Stephen Mumberson, England
Alessandra Donnarumma & Sascha Noachen, Germany
Anna Snaedis Sigmarsdottir, Iceland
Mari-Liis Sorg, Estonia
Motoko Tachikawa, Japan
Peter & Donna Thomas, U.S.A.
Ieva Trinkunaite, Lithuania
Roberta Vaigeltaite-V.,Lithuania
Yuko Wada, Japan
Carola Willbrand, Germany
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Triennial
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
Artist’s Book Lectures & Workshop in Graphic Art Department
February 12, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Artist‘s Book Lectures & Workshop of Patrizia Meinert
“pli selon pli“ (fold by fold)
12th – 15th February 2018
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Graphic Art Department, Vilnius Academy of Arts invited an artist Patrizia Meinert, from the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Halle, Germany to give the lectures and to make the artist’s book workshop for the students in Vilnius.
Patrizia Meinert is a book artist based in Leipzig (Germany). She works as a teaching assistant for Book Arts at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Halle, Germany. Her work revolves around the interplay of structure, haptics, and typography by focussing on conceptional questions as well as on the book as physical object. Her artist’s books can be found in various collections in Europe and the US. She runs her own Book Arts Studio in Leipzig and is currently involved in a research network on the book as expanded field of communication.
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Coordinator of the Workshop
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© Artist’s Book Creators Community
Artist’s Books Selected for the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
February 6, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Theme: “Memento Mori“
Dear Artists,
we say many thanks to all who sent their books for the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018”. We are grateful for their trust.
We are very sorry for the later jury meeting. We had a little to wait till all jury members will has the possibility to come to Vilnius for selecting artist’s books for the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial. Thanks for Your patience.
The work was very hard and intensive with many discussions. Now we are ready to announce the artists selected for the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018.
We are very sorry for artist’s books not selected for the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial. It is doesn’t means that your books were bad. Some books were simply not for this competition.
International Jury Members:
Dr. Michael Braunsteiner – Art Director, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria;
Mag. Barbara Eisner-B. – Initiator & Guest Curator, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria;
Prof. Martin Gredler – Werbe Design Akademie, Salzburg, Austria;
Roberta Vaigeltaite-V. – Artist, Artist’s Book Creator, Lithuania;
Evaldas Mikalauskis – Artist, Artist’s Book Creator, Lithuania;
Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas – Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania.
Jury commission criteria for selecting the artist’s books for the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018”:
The jury had the opportunity to select from a rich, colourful and multi-layered set of participations.
Each artist’s book was scrutinized carefully and considered as single, anonymous artwork without regarding the creators CV.
Each artist’s book was rated regarding the aspects of:
Memento Mori: creative and subtle approach towards the given topic;
Memento Mori: conceptual and formal realization;
Memento Mori: authentic technical implementation;
The jury has tried to selected artist’s books in order to create an exhibition displaying the width and depth of possibilities within the genre of artist’s book.
It is the first time when the jury decided to give the Honourable Mention to artists:
Magdalena Cordero Echeverria from Chile
Vittorio Fava from Italy
Stephen Mumberson from England
Anna Snaedis Sigmarsdottir from Iceland
Motoko Tachikawa from Japan
Artists selected for the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018”:
Name, Surname, Country
Lyn Ashby, Australia
Barbara Beisinghoff, Germany
Lene Bennike, Denmark
Gudrun Bialas, Germany
Catherine Bolle, Switzerland
Eszter Bornemisza, Hungary
Frances Breen, Austria
Diane Britt, USA
Andras Butak, Hungary
Loretta Cappanera, Italy
Gabby Cooksey, USA
Yuko Ebina, Japan
Magdalena Cordero Echeverria, Chile
Margot Fagan, Canada
David Faithfull, Scotland
Vittorio Fava, Italy
Roberta Feoli, Italy
Mirabel Fitzgerald, Australia
Timothy Frerichs, USA
Roberto Gianinetti, Italy
Kristin Gudbrandsdottir, Iceland
Rene Haljasmae, Estonia
Nancy Hart, USA
Toshihiro Hattori, Japan
Susanne Ruth Helweg, Denmark
Hisako Inui, Japan
Rasa Januleviciute, Lithuania
Lis Rejnert Jensen, Denmark
Aslaug Jonsdottir, Iceland
Ravikumar Kashi, India
Deirdre Kelly, Ireland
Maria Koolen Hellmin, Sweden
Kadi Kurema & Kulli Grunbach-Sein, Estonia
Lorraine Kwan, Canada
Marianne Laimer, Sweden
Silvia Lepore, Italy
Xiao Fei Li, China
Mario Lo Coco, Italy
Dalia Lopez Madrona, Sweden
Adriana Lucaciu, Romania
Hanne Matthiesen, Denmark
Peter J. Moosbrugger, Germany
Stephen Mumberson, England
Stephen Murphy, USA
Sascha Noachen & Alessandra Donnarumma, Germany
Katriona S. W. Persson, Sweden
Margit Pflugl, Austria
Migle Puzaite, Lithuania
Maria Schina, Greece
Anna Snaedis Sigmarsdottir, Iceland
Mari-Liis Sorg, Estonia
Malgorzata Stachurska, Poland
Raminta Sumskyte-Sum, Lithuania
Motoko Tachikawa, Japan
Signe Taremaa, Estonia
Lotte Tauber Lassen, Denmark
Peter & Donna Thomas, USA
Irma Tonteri, Finland
Ieva Trinkunaite, Lithuania
Anu Tuominen, Finland
Celestina Vicevic, Croatia
Joseph Johannes Visser, The Netherlands
Yuko Wada, Japan
Carola Willbrand, Germany
Karolina Zrebiec, Poland
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Triennial
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius – 39 Countries Sent Artist’s Books
January 22, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Theme: “Memento Mori“
For the “8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018” we have received artist’s books from 39 countries. Thank you, dear Artists, for your confidence.
Soon the jury members will arrive in Vilnius and start to collect artist’s books for the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial. Thank you for your patience.
More updated info about the 8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Triennial
© Circle “Bokartas”
International Jury Members
January 13, 2018 in Artists book, Events by Web developer
Three cubic meters of artist’s books
8th International Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018
International Jury Members:
Dr. Michael Braunsteiner
Art Director, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria
Mag. Barbara Eisner-B.
Initiator & Guest Curator, Contemporary Art Museum Admont, Austria
Prof. Martin Gredler
Werbe Design Akademie, Salzburg, Austria
Roberta Vaigeltaite-V.
Artist, Artist’s Book Creator
Evaldas Mikalauskis
Artist, Artist’s Book Creator
Prof. Kestutis Vasiliunas
Vilnius Academy of Arts
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
Strange Artist’s Books from the Travel to Berlin in 2017
December 9, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
In the beginning of December 2017 we drove to Torun (Poland) to see the exhibition of David Lynch “Silence and Dynamism”. From Torun it was “near” Berlin – 7 hours driving. So we drove our car to Berlin to see the exhibitions. Like always it is very nice to be in Berlin, so dirty and underground town (if I remembering well many many years ago Berlin was very clean), even the hotel was bad and expensive. Here we have seen the exhibition “The Art of Banksy”. Hm, not commercial illegal art with help of “friends” become very commercial.
In Martin-Gropius-Bau we have seen exhibition of young, provocative and “famous” artist Ed Atkins and the exhibition of strange artist Wenzel Hablik “Expressionistische Utopien”… Here I “found” nice art object – an artist’s book “Tapetenkollektion” (“Wallpaper Collection”) made in 1929. it has 96 sheets of original wallpaper and wooden cover.
We should say it is not an artist’s book, because it was created not as an artist’s book. It was only the collection of wall papers for installing the rooms.
Maybe that is truth, he didn’t created an artist’s book, but now it is the artist’s book, like many artist’s books from the 19th-20th centuries. For example artist’s books from the book “A Century of Artists Books” by Riva Castleman: “Noa Noa” of Paul Gauguin created in 1893-94, or “Yvette Guilbert” by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec were not created as an artist’s books, but now they are “the first created artist’s books”…
And what about William Blake and his self published poetry “Songs of Innocence and of Experience” in 1789? He was writing and “illustrating” his poetry by himself with help of his wife. He coloured all his prints by hand, and in each year the colours of the same illustration are different. Now many artists create like William Blake in 18th century.
From the “4th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2006” I remember the artist’s book of Estonian artist Lennart Mand made from the wall papers, which I would say is deeply connected with the book of Wenzel Hablik.
From the museum Martin-Gropius-Bau we went to another wonderful museum “Stiftung Olbricht”, where I never have been and which shows the “Masterworks from the National Gallery of Australia” the exhibition “Indigenous Australia”. Wonderful exhibition, but like in all museum it is not allowed to take pictures... so I have made not so many.
And here I “found” another wonderful artist’s book, made also in 19th century. Tommy McRae “Sketchbook of Aboriginal Ceremonies…”
This is a black-and-white drawing by an Indigenous Australian artist, Tommy McRae, produced in 1880. Tommy McRae (c1823-1901) – also known as Tommy Barnes, Yakaduna, and ‘Chief of the Wahgunyah tribe’, McRae produced the majority of his surviving work at Wahgunyah, in north-central Victoria, in the 1880s and 1890s; his subjects were mainly Indigenous Australian ceremonies, hunting and fighting.
And how not remembering a wonderful artist’s book of Lois Palframan “Life book” from the “5th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2009” full of images made with pencil and watercolour.
In the same museum, in the second floor, was very strange exhibition “Wunderkammer Olbricht” “Astonishment, discovery, understanding”. All collection of works from the Middle Ages till now like on theme “Memento Mori”. Beautiful and very strange collection with very small skulls and paintings, some “boxes” with many art artefacts.
In the exhibition were few books, or I would say old artist’s book… It were books of Joachim Johann Nepomuk Anton Spalowsky (1752-1797) “The Natural History of Birds”, published in 1790-1792. 9 hand-coloured engraved plates of arms, and 130 hand-coloured engraved plates, the birds presented within a water- and bodycolour landscape without engraved backing and extending into the broad margins beyond the plate mark, each plate numbered in the top right-hand corner and captioned in Latin and German in the lower margin in red manuscript. Books printed in the same time like book of William Blake, and coloured by hand. If we now would had the time and would create such book with birds, or flowers, or…, we would call it conceptual artist’s book. So, even if we are “very conceptual persons”, we have no time to create conceptual artist’s book like did artists before as…
In one day in Berlin I have found several wonderful and beautiful artist’s books connected with the contemporary artist’s books. Not so bad travel, even in 3 days I had to make 2200 km.
Traveller Kestutis Vasiliunas
Printmaking Exhibition in Tianjin
November 25, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Invitation Exhibition of Dongjiang International Printmaking in 2017
Time: 15-31 October 2017
Location: YAC Print Workshop, China
Kestutis Vasiliunas was invited to participate in this Exhibition.
© Kestutis Vasiliunas
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
Artist’s Book Objects from the “7th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2015“
November 21, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Artist’s book object is itself an art object, a piece of art.
Artist’s book object is a conceptual book, an idea of a book materialized in a form.
Artist’s book objects are three-dimensional works of art which keeps the idea of the book and maintains a form of a book. These artist’s book can contain a variety of materials: paper, wood, metal, plastic, feathers, cement, cultural garbage, etc. They are unique, with different shapes and sizes, from miniatures to book sculptures or giant installations of books.
24 photos of artist’s book objects
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Curator of the Virtual Gallery
Artist’s Book-Object in China Hotel
November 16, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
I was very happy, when in the hotel, in Tianjin town, in China I “found” the artist’s book-object near reception. I would say, that is very Chinese artist’s book-object.
Kestutis Vasiliunas
Retro 8: 3rd Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2003
November 15, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Theme: “23 Sins”
The theme of the 3rd Artist‘s Book Triennial was “23 Sins”. On this time I have got many questions from the artists who wanted to participate, like – “…can I participate in the exhibition if I‘m not a believer?”, “…what do these 23 sins means?” or “…I know only seven, eight or eleven sins…” Maybe it would be possible to relate number 23 with the year 2003 if we just erased two zeros between 2 and 3…
But everything is much easier: 23 sins is only one of the apt provocations.
The apt provocation is testified by the texts of two artists in the exhibition catalogue. The first text by Rimvydas is entitled – “Occurrence”: “Once upon a time there lived an artist and a book. They liked to make 23 sins a day. Finally they got married and became an Artist‘s Book. While the 23 sins have moved to another apartment, because their nerves couldn’t keep up any more.”
More text and 24 photos made with analogue photo camera
Kestutis Vasiliunas
curator of the Triennial
© Circle “Bokartas”, Kestutis Vasiliunas
Artist’s Book-Objects of Hanne Stochholm
November 13, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
We would like to introduce artist’s book creator Hanne Stochholm from Denmark. She create wonderful artist’s book-objects, paintings, sculptures and collages.
Artist Hanne Stochholm five times participated in the Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius. In the “7th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2015” Hanne Stochholm got the First Prize for two artist’s books-objects.
Please, press the photo, to see more artist’s books of Hanne Stochholm
When I look on the artist’s books of Hanne Stochholm, I recognize that an artist is from Denmark. Harsh style, delicate white-gray-brown colours, minimalism. Artist’s books of Hanne Stochholm like small sculptures. Such artist’s books belongs to altered books. Hanne Stochholm creatively connect different, I would say Nordic materials: coat, leather, iron, rope, wax, printed matter. Artist’s book-objects looks like found objects in nature. They are very natural, organic and also very powerful. It is looks that the book has some secrets, but you can’t open it, you can’t look inside.
Artist’s book-objects of Hanne Stochholm admire me. That is Art.
© Kestutis Vasiliunas, “Bokartas”, 2017
8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018 – Extended Deadline
October 25, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
8th Artist’s Book Triennial – Extended Deadline till
19th of December 2017
Dear Artists,
we have received many emails with the requests to extend the deadline for sending artist’s books for the “8th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018″. Also we see, that the International Jury meeting will be on January 2018.
So we decided to extend the time of acceptance of the artist’s books for the “8th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2018″ till 19th of December 2017.
Sincerely,
Kestutis Vasiliunas
curator
Artist’s Book of Chen Kong Yue, China
October 11, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Chen Kong Yue – Artist’s Book “The Town of Botang”
Beautiful and sensitive the artist’s book, created by Chinese artist Chen Kong Yue, deeply goes to the roots of Chinese woodcut printing. The thin black line engraved on the wood plate and printed on Chinese paper. Small figures of ordinary people like in old Chines prints. And traditional Chinese book binding.
“The Town of Botang”
Chinese paper, woodcut, 30 x 41 cm
How we know, the printmaking started in China. The world’s earliest dated printed book “Diamond Sutra” from Tang dynasty, printed by Wang Jie from woodblock in 868 A.D. in China. The earliest known book “Jikji” printed with movable metal type in 1377 in Korea.
Here are few Chinese woodblock prints made with think black line.
Kestutis Vasiliunas
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
© Chen Kong Yue
Artist’s Book in China Printmaking Museum
September 16, 2017 in Artists book, Events by Kestutis Vasiliunas
Visiting the “China Printmaking Museum”
We, as artists from the Printmaking Residency, visited the “China Printmaking Museum”.
The “China Printmaking Museum” was opened in 2014 in printmakers’ village in Guanlan Subdistrict. It is the first museum in China and maybe the first museum for printmaking in the world, but I am not sure in it… It was designed in by famous Chinese architect Zhu Xiong Yi from the company CCDI.
The “China Printmaking Museum” has made the big impression for me. Big modern building integrated in nature. As some parts covered with mirrors, its reflect surrounded nature on the “ceilings” and walls. Near the Museum – traditional village with Hakka houses and old tower, which give beautiful contrast with contemporary architecture of the Museum. Different parts of the Museum connected with “bridges”. So from one exhibition space to another you should go through the bridge in opened space.
The “China Printmaking Museum” covers an area of 17,600 square meters. Museum divided into different zones: exhibition halls, galleries, bookstores, functional academic halls and etc. The Museum conduct efficient connection with the “Printmaking Base” on collection of and research on the Resident artists’ works.
Taida, Darcy, Kabi & the director Zhao Jiachun for culture exchange in Printmaking Museum
“Museum offers a new platform for exhibitions of the art form, academic exchanges and art education seminars” said the museum’s curator, Wu Changjiang.
This time, when I visited Museum, in the Hall 1 was the exhibition of Wu Biduan (born in 1926) – “Engraving of Times”. “Mr. Wu Biduan is a famous printmaker, a printmaking educator and a pioneer of printmaking teaching in China Central Academy of Fine Arts.” Very interesting to see the prints from this generation, from this time, to see how professional they have been in curving woodblock, to compare it with soviet prints or expressionism.
Exhibition of Wu Biduan
In the Hall 2 – the exhibition “Inter-Sectionality: Thought and Concept of Contemporary Print”. This exhibition demonstrates few famous Chinese printmakers of our days. What is interesting to see in the prints of this Chinese artists, that some artists trying to “escape” from woodcut. Artists more and more use lithography, silkscreen, intaglio, or mixed media. And they use “new technologies” for printing very professional.
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- In the exhibition
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- Li Chuan. Lithography
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- Yang Yue. Intaglio
Here I have “found” in the glass boxes installed conceptual artist’s book of Huang Yang “Wan Li the Sixteenth Year”.
Artist’s book of Huang Yang
Artist’s book of Huang Yang
In the Hall 3 – “Female Artists Print Exhibition”. The exhibition of prints, created in the Guanlan Print Base.
Yes, when you look on how they install the prints in the exhibition space, you understand that you never have seen such respect for artists, for printmakers, for prints. What we can say more? It is sad to look on our countries…
Info and pictures about China Printmaking Workshop
Kestutis Vasiliunas
© Artist’s Book Creators Community
