Surface Decoration on Books – 3D Attachments a workshop with Barb Korbel Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 13-15

Friday: 4-7, Saturday & Sunday,10-5

16 North Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City

Object making and surface decoration are activities that evolved side by side. Throughout history as objects were made, marks identifying the maker or the owner or simply to beautify the surface were added. In the case of books and bookbinding, the earliest known western codex is adorned. In fact, the history of the craft is often told through an examination of ornamental elements decorating the surface of the leather.

This workshop explores surface decoration focusing primarily on the attachment of three-dimensional objects to the cover of a book. Attention will be given to maintaining the functionality of the book and creating a seamless and stable attachment to the cover.

Participants will work on two prepared plaquettes with a variety of materials including metal, leather, paper, and cloth. We will explore the attachment of stones, clasps, dimensional onlays, frames, and consider the use of found objects as decorative elements in your work.

Barbara Korbel works as Collections Conservator at the Newberry Library in Chicago. She began making historical bookbinding models twelve years ago as a way of understanding the book structures she was conserving. Much of what she learns she adapts to the making of design bindings. Her bindings have been shown in exhibits nationally and internationally.

Registration Fees:

UICB Students: $95.00 + $25.00 materials fee

Non-Students: $115.00 + $25.00 materials fee To register, contact Julie Leonard at julia-leonard@uiowa.edu A supply list and other details will be provided upon registration

Sponsored by the UI Center for the Book and the Book Arts Club