Dear Folks,
After working for the past 2 years, to bring the Open Set Exhibition to Austin bibliophiles, This message is disappointing; Open Set Bookbinding Exhibition will not be shown in Austin this year. The Austin show would have opened July 26, 2017.
Sharon Herfurth of Austin Public Library, and ABAC staff look forward to working together to present the Austin showing of the next Open Set binding Competition and Exhibition in 2020, when the show will be on view at the new downtown Austin Public Library. In 2020 the Open Set Exhibition will travel to only 4 venues and will be on view for longer than one month at each venue.
Thank you to everyone who agreed to speak or entertain in the gallery, volunteer as a docent, help with the opening and closing receptions, assist with publicity, brainstorm, etc. We hope that this team we be able to work on the 2020 Open Set Exhibition.
On a brighter note, this frees up some time in the schedule to plan the Austin Book Arts Center’s Second Birthday Party. Stay tuned!
Bibliophiles can enjoy the Open Set 2017 Exhibition in
· Seattle – Seattle Public Library – September 8 – October 28
· Salt Lake City – University of Utah – November 10 – January 19
The name “Open Set” was chosen because 20 book bindings are unique artistic interpretations for one SET letterpress printed limited edition text: Inside the book, by David Eselmont. 30 book bindings are unique – one of a kind – artistic interpretations of a variety of fine press books.
View the 50 bindings in this traveling exhibition, and purchase the catalog here.
Here is a website for the Open-Set competition and exhibition. Photos of the 79 bindings submitted to the competition, the dates and venues across the USA where the exhibition will be shown, and information about the inspiration for the competition.
The last major exhibition of fine book bindings in Austin was in 2005 at the Ransom Center. The exhibit was produced by the Guild of Book Workers and the title was “In Flight”.