---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nikolas Sarris <sarris1(a)otenet.gr>
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:50:50 +0300
I am pleased to announce that the study program for the Patmos
Workshops on Historic Bindings 2011 is now available:
PATMOS WORKSHOPS ON HISTORIC BINDINGS 2011
29 August -18 September 2011
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2011
Patmos is the island of the Apocalypse, on which the 11th century Greek
Orthodox monastery of Saint John the Theologian is situated and which
preserves one of the most important monastic libraries of the Christian
world, containing a wealth of Greek bound manuscripts, scrolls, early
documents and printed books.
Following the success of the workshops on conservation and historic
bookbinding supported by the conservation studio of the monastery over the
last five years, we are pleased to announce the workshops for 2011.
With the support of the “ELLINIKI ETAIRIA Society for the Environment
and Cultural Heritage”, the workshops are hosted in a traditional
Patmian
stately house, which is adjacent to the monastery, offering the students the
experience of unique local architecture. The classes will include
visits to the monastery where we will engage with material from the
monastic library.
WEEK 1
AL-ANDALUS ISLAMIC BINDING
TUTOR: ANA BENY
29 August – 2 September 2011
Course fee: 500€
During the settlement of the Arabs in the Iberian Peninsula from the
beginning of the VIII century up to the end of the XV century,
Christians,
Jews and Muslins shared space. In consequence, the interchange and
influences between these cultures where notable and flourished
particularly within the territory know as al-Andalus, directly related
to the widespread
production of books, with specific characteristics and structures. When the
Catholic Kings of Castile and Aragon persecuted the Arabs, the
majority of these books were burnt or damaged, except a small number
of them, which were hidden or relocated.
Although few in number, they are a particular typology of binding, a
cultural cross-fertilisation. The al-Andalus binding appears in
different collections, in different geographical locations around the
al-Andalus territory and appear during three centuries: the fourteen,
fifteen and sixteenth.
Significant variations are found in regards to the covering materials,
endband structures, dimensions of text block or gatherings, but all of
them retain the basic characteristic that the cover is not made
independently from the text-block. This is why these bindings cannot
be seen as a typical Islamic case binding, on the contrary the way it
is constructed has more
connections to its Coptic ancestors. This sort of hybrid structure has
a special feature, the technique in which the inner spine is
constructed, from which we are inspired of a conservation binding.
The course will make an introduction to the history of these
bookbindings through lectures and slides, following some steps from
Al-Ishbili and Ibn-Badis treatises to recreate an historic envelop
model. The student will then study and carry out sewing of the
text-block, construction of pasteboards, endbands’ preparation, board
attachment through a fabric support, leather covering and decoration
of the cover, in order to gain an understanding of the construction
of a typical Al-Andalus binding and its
variations.
All the materials needed for making the book will be provided. Participants
will need to bring basic bookbinding tools. Some knowledge of binding would
be helpful, but is not essential.
WEEK 2
PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION IN LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
TUTOR: ROBERT CHILD
5- 9 September 2011
Course fee: 500€
Libraries and archives are composed of organic materials which are readily
degraded by their environment. Factors such as temperature, humidity, light,
pollution and insect pests can all rapidly reduce the life span of books and
manuscripts.
This course is designed to examine the causes of deterioration in
detail; methods of monitoring the environment in order to understand
the action of the climate around the collections and practical methods
of controlling the
environment to minimize damage and deterioration. Focus will also be
given to the practice of anoxic disinfestations treatments with
low-budget
facilities.The course is strongly practically based and will be of
value to all those
with a responsibility for historic and artistic collections, which are
composed of manuscripts, books and paper objects, but will also be of
interest to those involved with the conservation of textiles, wooden
objects and other organic materials.
WEEK 3
BYZANTINE-STYLE ILLUMINATIONS ON PARCHMENT
TUTOR: EVANGELOS ZOURNATZIS
12 – 18 September 2011
Course fee: 500€
During this 7-day course we will be dealing with all aspects of
drawing, transferring, and painting an illumination on a prepared
parchment folio. Following the traditional techniques of Byzantine
illuminators and employing
materials, inks and pigments as close to the original as possible, the
participants can expect to become familiar with the process of
preparing the parchment skins and painting illuminations, such as
decorative headpieces. Several technical details pertaining to the
facture of Byzantine
illuminations will be discussed, alongside the aesthetics that rule
their making, the particularities of the materials that affect their
condition, and the requirements for their correct preservation.
The courses will be given in English. The classes are open to 12
individuals from the fields of book conservation, bookbinding,
librarianship or
paleography and those interested in the history and the making of the
book. Since these are not beginner-level courses, the participants are
expected to be familiar with bookbinding terminology and have a basic
knowledge of the
history of book production in the periods under discussion.
This year we are happy to be able to offer two discounts. A 10%
discount is offered on the price of the second or third course that
participants will attend. A 20% discount applies to current
conservation students following proof of attendance at an acknowledged
conservation school.
Applications for the courses should be made by email to Nikolas Sarris
(info(a)patmosworkshop.com) with the subject
“Patmos Bookbinding Workshops 2011”.
The applicant must state the course/s he/she is interested in
attending as well as a short biography, showing relevant experience
with the
subjects of the courses. For more information please visit:
http://www.patmosworkshop.com/workshop-2011/
or contact:
Nikolas Sarris
Supervisor of the Book Conservation Studio,
St John Theologian Monastery, Patmos, Greece
info(a)patmosworkshop.com