Workshop 2011
Three weekly seminars on book conservation and historic bindings will be held in Patmos during September 2011.
The workshops will be held at a traditional stately Patmian house adjacent to the monastery of St John Theologian.
- AL-ANDALUS ISLAMIC BINDING
(Tutor: Ana Beny)
Date: 29 August - 2 September 2011 | Maximum class number: 12 | Course fee: 350 € During the settlement of the Arabs in the Iberian Peninsula from the beginning of the VIII century up to the end of theXV century, Christians, Jews and Muslins shared space. In consequence, the interchange and influences between these cultures where notable and flourished particularly within the territory know as al-Andalus, directly related to the widespread production of books, with specific characteristics and structures. When the Catholic Kings of Castile and Aragon persecuted the Arabs, the majority of these books were burnt or damaged, except a small number of them, which were hidden or relocated.
Although few in number, they are a particular typology of binding, a cultural cross-fertilisation. The al-Andalus binding appears in different collections, in different geographical locations around the al-Andalus territory and from three different centuries: the fourteen, fifteen and sixteenth. Significant variations are found in regards to the covering materials, endband structures, dimensions of text block or gatherings, but all of them retain the basic characteristic that the cover is not made independently from the text-block. This is why these bindings cannot be seen as a typical Islamic case binding, on the contrary the way it is constructed has more connections to its Coptic ancestors. This sort of hybrid structure has a special feature, the technique in which the inner spine is constructed, from which we are inspired of a conservation binding.
The course will make an introduction to the history of these bookbindings through lectures and slides, following some steps from Al-Ishbili and Ibn-Badis treatises to recreate an historic envelop model. The student will then study and carry out sewing of the text-block, construction of pasteboards, endbands’ preparation, board attachment through a fabric support, leather covering and decoration of the cover, in order to gain an understanding of the construction of a typical Al-Andalus binding and its variations.
All the materials needed for making the book will be provided. Participants will need to bring basic bookbinding tools. Some knowledge of binding would be helpful, but is not essential.
- PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION IN LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
(Tutor: Robert Child)
Date: 5 - 9 September 2011 | Maximum class number: 12 | Course fee: 350 € Libraries and archives are composed of organic materials which are readily degraded by their environment. Factors such as temperature, humidity, light, pollution and insect pests can all rapidly reduce the life span of books and manuscripts.
This course is designed to examine the causes of deterioration in detail; methods of monitoring the environment in order to understand the action of the climate around the collections and practical methods of controlling the environment to minimize damage and deterioration. Focus will also be given to the practice of anoxic disinfestations treatments with low-budget facilities.
The course is strongly practically based and will be of value to all those with a responsibility for historic and artistic collections, which are composed of manuscripts, books and paper objects, but will also be of interest to those involved with the conservation of textiles, wooden objects and other organic materials.
- BYZANTINE-STYLE ILLUMINATIONS ON PARCHMENT
(Tutor: Evangelos Zournatzis)
Date: 12 - 18 September 2011 | Maximum class number: 12 | Course fee: 350 € During this 5-day course we will be dealing with all aspects of drawing, transferring, and painting an illumination on a prepared parchment folio. Following the traditional techniques of Byzantine illuminators and employing materials, inks and pigments as close to the original as possible, the participants can expect to become familiar with the process of preparing the parchment skins and painting an illumination. Several technical details pertaining to the facture of Byzantine illuminations will be discussed, alongside the aesthetics that rule their making, the particularities of the materials that affect their condition, and the requirements for their correct preservation.
Courses structure
The courses are given in English. Classes will be starting at 09.00. There will be a coffee break in the morning and a lunch break at 13.00. Classes continue after lunch until 15.30. After the classes there will be enough time to explore the island, enjoy the beaches and the sea, visit the cave of the Apocalypse or walk around the beautiful village of Chora. The classes are open to 12 individuals from the fields of book conservation, bookbinding, librarianship or palaeography and those interested in the history and the making of the book. Since these are not beginner-level courses, the participants are expected to be familiar with bookbinding terminology and have a basic knowledge of the history of book production in the periods under discussion. Good bookbinding skills are essential for the practical workshops.
This year we are happy to be able to offer two discounts. A 10% discount is offered on the price of the second or third course that participants will attend. A 20% discount applies to current conservation students following proof of attendance at an acknowledged conservation school.
Applications
The deadline for applications is the 29th July 2011. Applications for the courses should be made by email to Nikolas Sarris (info@patmosworkshop.com) with the subject “Patmos Bookbinding Workshops 2011”. The applicant must state the course/s he/she is interested in attending as well as a short biography, showing relevant experience with the subjects of the courses.
Time Table
| Tutor | Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ana Beny | Al-Andalus Islamic Binding | 29 Aug-2 September 2011 |
| Robert Child | Preventive Conservation in Libraries and Archives | 5-9 September 2011 |
| Evangelos Zournatzis | Byzantine-Style Illuminations on Parchment | 12-18 September 2011 |
The Tutors
Robert Child was formerly Head of Conservation at the National Museum of Wales, UK and is now a consultant on preventive conservation. He is a specialist in preventive conservation with a particular interest in the control of insect pests. He has carried out training courses in preventive conservation worldwide, including Egypt, Greece, Georgia, Guatemala and Sri Lanka. He lectures and publishes widely on the subject of preventive conservation and is currently a consultant to the National Library of Egypt, Advisor on insect pests to the National Trust and many museums internationally.
Workshops' organiser
Nikolas Sarris
Nikolas Sarris is the supervisor of the book conservation studio at the monastery of St John Theologian, Patmos and a tutor of book and paper conservation at the Department for the Preservation and Conservation of Cultutal Heritage of the Technological Educational Institute of the Ionian Islands in Zakynthos, Greece. He has worked as a book conservator at the British Library (2004-06) and the UCL Strange Print Room. He collaborates with the Ligatus Research Unit on research related to the St Catherine’s Library Conservation Project since 2001 and with the Thesaurus Foundation for the survey and conservation of the manuscripts at the National Library of Egypt, Cairo. He has been awarded his PhD by the University of the Arts London with the title: ‘Classification of Finishing Tools in Byzantine/Greek Bookbinding: Establishing Links for Manuscripts from the Library of the St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt.