2011 CODEX BOOKFAIR & SYMPOSIUM

Registration is now open for the 2011 Codex Bookfair and Symposium. This year’s theme is “Borders & Collaborations,” and so the focus (as seen in the presenters listed below) will be on international presses and books. Here’s the info from the website:

The third biennial CODEX International Book Fair and Symposium will take place February 6-9, 2011 on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. We are gathering together a congress of the world’s finest private presses, book artisans, artists, curators, collectors and scholars in the spirit of an Old West rendezvous. The Symposium and Bookfair will provide an opportunity to see and be seen in a relaxed setting. The best and most current work of a truly international group of artists and artisans will be on display. Participants from all the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand have responded. The San Francisco Bay Area’s libraries, book-arts & bibliophilic organizations host an abundance of events, exhibits and receptions during the week. Finally, the following weekend, will be the 44th annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair, certainly one of the biggest and best in the world. This will be an historic “bookweek” in the grand scale of the San Francisco tradition!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS :

Paul van Capelleveen. Curator Modern Collections, Museum Meermanno, The Hague. The Contemporary Dutch Private Press.
Richard Ovenden, FRSA, FSA. Keeper of Special Collections and Associate Director, Bodleian Library, Oxford. Book Arts in the 21st Century Research Library.
Juan Nicanor Pascoe. Printer. Fine Printing in Mexico: Taller Martin Pescador, Michoacán
Martha Hellion. Artist & Independent Curator. Perspectives: The Artist Book in Latin and South America.

PRESENTATIONS BY ARTISTS & PRESSES:

Jan & Crispin Elsted: The Barbarian Press, Mission, British Columbia
Marina & Mikhail Karasik: M.K. Publishers, St Petersburg, Russia
Barbara & Markus Fahrner: Fahrner & Fahrner, Vancouver/Frankfurt/Main
Caroline Saltzwedel: Hirundo Press, Hamburg, Germany


The image at the top was designed by Russell Maret. That same image is used for the Codex postcards and some really nice letterpress printed posters.

My first year at Codex was the last one, in 2009. I had a great time. If you are at all considering buying a table, don’t hesitate too long, because they will sell out. And you may not make your money back, but showing your work at the fair brings in more than just money—it will connect you with an international community. & that is worth a tremendous amount.

Even if tabling at Codex is not in your future, it’s worth coming anyway, both for the symposium and the fair. You will not see more fine press/artists’ books from all over the world in any other single venue (at least in this country). Mark your calendars. We will all look forward to seeing you there.