- The International Exhibition of Artistic Bookbinding
and Calligraphy Scripta Manet II (written stays) took place
from September 21st to October 22nd 2000. This exhibition took place
within the overall framework of the Estonian Book Year, and was dedicated
in honor of two important occasions in the history of the Estonian bookbinding:
the 475th anniversary of the publication of the first Estonian book,
and the 110th anniversary of the birth of Eduard Taska, the most famous
figure in Estonian bookbinding history.
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- Purpose:
- The purpose of this exhibition was to develop
an introduction to the traditions of Estonian bookbinding and its creative
ideas, to integrate many different aspects of Estonian culture, to introduce
artisans from different cultural and educational backgrounds in designer
bookbinding and calligraphy to the world at the threshold of a new millennium,
to enable artisans from other countries to participate in a unique aspect
of Estonian culture, and through their participation and creativity
to contribute to the worlds culture.
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- Idea:
- "The Scripta Manet II exhibition
was centered on Estonian literary and artistic culture. It was based
on the interpretation of works of Estonian poets Doris Kareva and Jaan
Kaplinski through designer bookbinding, the physical form of the book,
written art, calligraphic interpretation, graphics, ceramics, glass
work, photography, film, and other artistic media. The books used were
printed in a limited, numbered edition especially for the event. The
text was written in both Estonian and English, and included a preface
and biography of the authors. Artists were free to add superficial or
spatial illustrations as they wished. The goal was to show spectators
the book as a three-dimensional object and reveal it as an organic object
possessing its own inner life.
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- Historical Background:
- The evolution of Estonian bookbinding began in
the first ten years of the 21st century and is connected with Eduard
Taska, whose 110th birthday we celebrate in the year 2000. Traditions
in Estonian bookbinding are a century old. Lively bookbinding exhibition
activity began between 1960 and 1980. The first so-called international
exhibition of artistic bookbinding took place in 1990 in the Applied
Art Museum in Tallinn. After the restoration of Estonian independence
in 1991, free communication began with colleagues in the international
field of artistic bookbinding. Scripta Manet I took place
in the National Library of Estonia in 1995. This exhibition featured
76 participants from 12 different nations and was accompanied with a
conference and published catalogue.
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