pli selon pli* (fold by fold) workshop by Patrizia Meinert
12th - 15th February 2018
Graphic Art Department, Vilnius Academy of Arts

»With regard to the large printed sheet, the folding is a sign, almost religious.«
(Stéphane Mallarmé)

On closer examination, the seemingly simple process of folding a sheet of paper into half turns out to be a core element of bookmaking. As an inherent feature of the book’s architecture the fold is part of the mediums complexity: It separates space as well as it ties spaces together. It creates grids that we make use of to organize content. It is the threshold between two- and three-dimensionality. Folding reveals and conceals – and initiates space-time-sequences.
This workshop focuses on folding as a conceptual means in book arts. How can its potentials be applied to conceive artist’s books? How can it help to deal with the layers encompassed by the book (text, image, typography, haptics)
Therefore we will work on and experiment with structures that emphasize the tension between the small page and the whole unfolded space. On this basis each student is invited to individually develop his/her own project.

Materials (if available): scissors, ruler, pencil, cutter, bone folder, self-healing cutting mat

Time schedule:
Monday, 12th  (afternoon) Introduce assignment + discussion
Tuesday, 13th  Hands-on demo of different folding techniques + start working individually
Wednesday, 14th Work on projects + critique projects in progress
Thursday, 15th Final discussion + presentation

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.
Education
Masterclass student of Book Arts at the Book Arts Department of the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design (2014—2016)
Studies of Book Arts at the Book Arts Department of the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design (2008—2014)
Professional training as bookbinder (2005—2008)
Studies abroad
Book Arts Department at the Oregon College of Art and Craft Portland, USA (2012)
Facultad de Bellas Artes Alonso Cano Granada, Spain (2011)
regular attendance of workshops at the centro del bel libro Ascona, Switzerland
 

(*quote by Stéphane Mallarmé)

Workshop is supported by Erasmus+ mobility program and Vilnius Academy of Arts