5th Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2009
Theme: Text
Time and place:
12-15 March 2009, Leipzig Book Fair, Germany;
30 April – 16 May 2009, Gallery “Arka”, Vilnius, Lithuania;
12 September – 13 December 2009, “Art Centre Silkeborg Bad”, Denmark;
29 May – 13 September 2010, “Hübner Bokform”, Halmstad, Sweden;
8-29 October 2010, “Scuola Internazionale di Grafica”, Venice, Italy.
Curator of the Triennial: Kestutis Vasiliunas
Organiser of the Exhibition: Circle “Bokartas”.
330 artists from 56 different countries sent their books for the 5th International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2009. The jury selected only 131 artists from 34 countries for the exhibition.
The theme of the 5th International Artist’s Book Triennial is Text. If compared with the themes of previous triennials, this theme is as if a step backwards, something more traditional. Probably. But if so, then first of all, that small step is a step towards oneself, towards one’s culture, towards one’s country, its uniqueness, language and writing. It is turning back towards each other, an attempt to establish a contact with the other human being, irrespective of the country he or she lives in, language he or she speaks, religion he or she believes in. Letters, dairies or poetry expressed in words, images, from the heart. They are the words (In the beginning was the Word, Jn 1. 1) that acquired “body” from paper, metal, wood or any other material. They are the words that turned into an avalanche of typographic text, calligraphic letters or entirely vanished from the book pages with only punctuation marks, imprints on the paper leaf left.
The 5th Triennial displays the most interesting artist’s books from all over the world. It is the most wonderful experience to see culture, traditions of different countries, art schools reflected in the artist’s books created by the artists. Paper typographic books and books printed by the use of classic graphic techniques – wood engraving, silk-screen printing or lithography; books printed by mixed techniques by combining possibilities of digital printing with drawing, collage and object; concept and “handmade” embroidered books; books – objects, le parello and Flux books. The key role here is played by the idea which materialises in multidimensional forms, and it is absolutely unimportant what means of expression were used in the book. Thus, whether they are “bibliophilic” books or experimental or books – objects – all of them by supplementing each other and contrasting with each other help to reveal miraculous and mysterious world of the artist’s book.
This exhibition is an invitation for dialogue. An invitation to share your “text” with the others, an invitation to read the other author’s words carefully, and to feel his or her soul trembling, heart beating. Thus, please accept this invitation.
© Kestutis Vasiliunas
© Circle “Bokartas” 2009