Third International Bookbinding Competition Soars

The third International Bookbinding Competition, hosted by Designer Bookbinders and Oxford's Bodleian Libraries, recognized top contemporary bookbinders from around the globe at a ceremony on July 17 at the Weston Library in Oxford. This year's theme was "Myths, Heroes & Legends," and drew participants from over thirty countries.

First prize of approximately $13,000 (£10,000) went to Germany's Andrea Odametey for a tissue-paper binding entitled "Daedalus and Icarus" that resembles burnt wings. The piece is now part of the Bodleain's permanent collections.

                                                                                                                                     Inspired by broken Greek pottery and a Japanese technique of applying precious metals to enhance repairs, "The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite" by British bookbinder Rachel Ward-Sale took second place and a roughly $7,700 (£6,000) prize. This piece will go to the Getty Collection at Wormsley Park in Buckinghamshire, England.                                                                                                                   

The two top prizes are sponsored by Getty Images co-founder Mark Getty in memory of his father, collector and bookbinding advocate, Sir Paul Getty. (A full list of prizewinners may be found here.)  

A display showcasing both the prizewinners and participants remains on display until August 20th at the Weston Library. In total, seventy-four designer bindings, including the twenty-eight prize-winners, highlight the creativity and diversity of the world's artisan bookbinders. 

                                                                                                                                  "Throughout the ages, every culture has created myths and legends that recount the great deeds of its heroes," said competition organizer Jeanette Koch. "This year's entries reflect a remarkable range of styles, materials and approaches to great classics of world literature, as well as modern texts. The imagination in form and structure, and the variety of materials used will capture the attention of audiences of all ages and display the wonderful and intricate art and craft of a unique handmade book."

Can't make it to the Weston Library to see the bindings? Heroic Works will be traveling to the Library of Birmingham from August 23 to September 28; the St. Bride Foundation in London from October 2-14, while the prize winners and American bindings head stateside to Boston's North Bennet Street School from November 2 to December 22.

A full color catalogue, Heroic Works, is available online for £30 from www.bodleianshop.co.uk or www.designerbookbinders.org.uk.

                                                                                                                                                                       Images courtesy of the BL.