Exhibitions
Exhibition of Artistic Bookbinding. Scripta manent VII „In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt`s music!“
The international bookbinding art exhibition Scripta manent, held every five years, celebrates the 90th birthday of the world-famous Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.
The exhibition is based on the binding sections with texts from Arvo Pärt`s musical pieces. The collection In principio includes texts created in nine different languages used in the composer`s work since 1956.
The book sheds light on a significant aspect in Pärt’s creation – on textual elements in the composer’s work, the selection of texts, as well as on the Word in a broader and deeper sense. The book also includes illustrations - sketches, manuscripts and music diaries from the author`s archives. They have initiated a visual impulse for creating their bindings in case of several artists.
The title of the collection In principio comes from Arvo Pärt`s work of the same name for an orchestra and a choir, which he wrote in 2003 and dedicated to Tõnu Kaljuste. Its text derives from the opening verses of the Gospel of John in the New Testament ,,In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat Verbu” ; or ,,In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
148 bookbinders from Estonia and abroad
The second edition with numbered copies was published in 2024 by the Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders in cooperation with the Arvo Pärt Centre.
The 392-page bookblocks, consisting of 25 sections, were printed on 120 g/m2 Arena extra white paper at the Estonian Book Printing House and sent to artists in nineteen different countries.
The unique bindings exhibited at the exhibition introduce a viewer to the old and dignified art of bookbinding, which is fading into the background in the modern world of digital media. The art of bookbinding requires subtle perception, an abstract artistic sense in interpreting the material, as well as the integrity of content and form. This time-consuming, meticulous and precise art form is largely dependent on the knowledge of different materials and their skillful use.
The Scripta manent VII Bookbinding Art Exhibition will feature 151 artists with 148 bindings - 61 from Estonia, 12 from Spain, 11 from Belgium, 9 from the Netherlands and Latvia, 8 from Lithuania, 7 from Germany, 6 from Australia and Finland, 5 from Japan and the USA, 2 from France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and 1 artist from South Africa, Norway, Denmark and Taiwan. 23 of the exhibition participants are students, 20 of them from Estonia and 3 from Lithuania.
Based on the relevance of the works, the professional level and the individuality of the artist`s work, the jury selected 3 bindings. The authors of these works were awarded the grand prize of the exhibition – the Golden Book. Additional 14 outstanding bindings were recognised with incentive prizes. The best student binding was selected for the Golden Book award in the student category.
Everyone can experience the thoughts and feelings that the displayed bindings
Evoke while viewing the exhibition accompanied by Arvo Pärt`s music and, if anybody wishes, record the impressions in the guest book. The exhibition is complemented by a catalogue.
The year 2025 is the Year of the Estonian Book. We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first publication of a printed book in Estonian. Let the culture of book publishing and binding have a flourishing future! Our heartfelt gratitude with a deep bow belong to Arvo Pärt!
Text: Tulvi-Hanneli Turo
Additional Info: Tulvi Turo, tulvi.turo@gmail.com, mob 56 201 751, Rene Haljasmäe rene.haljasmae@gmail.com, 51 900 544
The exhibition is based on the binding sections with texts from Arvo Pärt`s musical pieces. The collection In principio includes texts created in nine different languages used in the composer`s work since 1956.
The book sheds light on a significant aspect in Pärt’s creation – on textual elements in the composer’s work, the selection of texts, as well as on the Word in a broader and deeper sense. The book also includes illustrations - sketches, manuscripts and music diaries from the author`s archives. They have initiated a visual impulse for creating their bindings in case of several artists.
The title of the collection In principio comes from Arvo Pärt`s work of the same name for an orchestra and a choir, which he wrote in 2003 and dedicated to Tõnu Kaljuste. Its text derives from the opening verses of the Gospel of John in the New Testament ,,In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat Verbu” ; or ,,In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
148 bookbinders from Estonia and abroad
The second edition with numbered copies was published in 2024 by the Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders in cooperation with the Arvo Pärt Centre.
The 392-page bookblocks, consisting of 25 sections, were printed on 120 g/m2 Arena extra white paper at the Estonian Book Printing House and sent to artists in nineteen different countries.
The unique bindings exhibited at the exhibition introduce a viewer to the old and dignified art of bookbinding, which is fading into the background in the modern world of digital media. The art of bookbinding requires subtle perception, an abstract artistic sense in interpreting the material, as well as the integrity of content and form. This time-consuming, meticulous and precise art form is largely dependent on the knowledge of different materials and their skillful use.
The Scripta manent VII Bookbinding Art Exhibition will feature 151 artists with 148 bindings - 61 from Estonia, 12 from Spain, 11 from Belgium, 9 from the Netherlands and Latvia, 8 from Lithuania, 7 from Germany, 6 from Australia and Finland, 5 from Japan and the USA, 2 from France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and 1 artist from South Africa, Norway, Denmark and Taiwan. 23 of the exhibition participants are students, 20 of them from Estonia and 3 from Lithuania.
Based on the relevance of the works, the professional level and the individuality of the artist`s work, the jury selected 3 bindings. The authors of these works were awarded the grand prize of the exhibition – the Golden Book. Additional 14 outstanding bindings were recognised with incentive prizes. The best student binding was selected for the Golden Book award in the student category.
Everyone can experience the thoughts and feelings that the displayed bindings
Evoke while viewing the exhibition accompanied by Arvo Pärt`s music and, if anybody wishes, record the impressions in the guest book. The exhibition is complemented by a catalogue.
The year 2025 is the Year of the Estonian Book. We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first publication of a printed book in Estonian. Let the culture of book publishing and binding have a flourishing future! Our heartfelt gratitude with a deep bow belong to Arvo Pärt!
Text: Tulvi-Hanneli Turo
Additional Info: Tulvi Turo, tulvi.turo@gmail.com, mob 56 201 751, Rene Haljasmäe rene.haljasmae@gmail.com, 51 900 544
Organizer: Eesti Köitekunstnike Ühendus (EKÜ)
Organizing group: Tulvi-Hanneli Turo (EKÜ), Rene Haljasmäe (EKÜ), Tiia Eikholm (EKÜ), Tähti Roostalu (EKÜ), Lennart Mänd (EKÜ), Triin Kerge (Ajaloomuuseum)
Designer: Lennart Mänd
Graphic design: Tiia Eikholm
Sound design: Arvo Pärdi helilooming, Arvo Pärdi Keskus
Technical support: Koit Annus (Ajaloomuuseum), Madis Matesen (Ajaloomuuseum)
Communication: Krista Arro (Ajaloomuuseum), Helene Tedre (Ajaloomuuseum)
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Designer of the book In principio: Angelika Schneider
Compiler and Editor of the Book In principio: Hedi Rosma, Kristina Kõrver, Kai Kutman