Look, A Book! Exhibition Celebrates Book Arts

The UC San Diego Library will host an exhibition of fine press books, limited edition books, fine bindings, and one-of-a-kind artists’ books to be held at Geisel Library from September 6 through October 16, 2016. Members of the public are invited to the opening reception for Look, A Book!, which is sponsored by the California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers on Saturday, September 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibition—which includes the works of 24 members of the Guild of Book Workers—will present a broad range of book structures, letterpress printing, fine and design binding, and unique artists’ books in a wide variety of media, including photography, walnut ink, handmade sunflower paper, paste papers, and stone veneer. The topics of the artists’ books are equally diverse, and include such titles as News Delivery Systems: A Condensed History, Where Stucco meets Chaparral, On Rooks, Curried Book, The Lone Ranger, and The Jumping Frog by Mark Twain. The exhibition, which includes nearly 50 works, showcases traditional book arts as well as more innovative 21st century interpretations of books. A fully illustrated catalogue is available.

“I’m delighted that we are able to host this year’s California Chapter Guild of Book Workers exhibition in Geisel Library,” said Brian E. C. Schottlaender, The Audrey Geisel University Librarian at UC San Diego. “Collaborations like this—which showcase and celebrate the book arts—are especially meaningful to us. The UC San Diego Library’s Special Collections and Archives has a long history of supporting and presenting a wide range of materials crafted by book artists, and has an outstanding collection of artists’ books and limited edition fine press books. The Look, A Book! exhibition reflects our continuing interest in partnering with groups like the Guild to engage the campus and local communities and to support book artists and their distinctive works of art.”

Curried Book
Sue Ann Robinson, Curried Book, 2009

The Guild of Book Workers is a national organization dedicated to promoting interest in and awareness of the traditions of the book and paper arts. Members include hand bookbinders, conservators, calligraphers, private press printers, papermakers, and artist bookmakers, as well as librarians and collectors. The California Chapter is one of nine regional chapters located throughout the United States. The Chapter has over 100 members and offers activities such as workshops, lectures, exhibitions, collection tours, and social events. For more information about membership and programs, please visit gbwcaliforniachapter.wordpress.com.

Geisel Library is located on the UC San Diego campus at 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA. For directions and Library hours, please visit: library.ucsd.edu/hours.