Art & Matter
I practice traditional bookbinding. I learn directly from a master who himself was trained by another master, etc. (the "genealogy" of this learning can go directly back to the Middle Ages and I admit that I am proud of it!). I pass the different materials under a microscope: I examine the parchments of animal skins, antique papers, leather ... but I have a little vegan side ... so I try to find more ecological and respectful alternatives in particular by trying to manufacture biodegradable structural materials made from bacteria, by making recycled paper, or by using Japanese paper plants.
Incunable from 1493...
Incunabula are the first printed books in the history.
Paper is just INCREDIBLE for 1493... whereas some papers from the years 1980-2000 are just horrible and badly preserved!
Paper from 1715 (can you see the grain and direction of the paper?).
Goatskin Parchment and his distinctive grain.
Sheepskin parchment (stained).
Calfskin Vellum (natural slunk).
Biodegradable structural materials
(more info here).
Microfibrils from bacteria. Much like silkworms, these bacteria make microfibers when they eat sugar.
Paper of the future made with bacteria!
Microfibrils from bacteria in a waterdrop. A simple sample of 1 uL/0.001 ml can create matter endlessly!
For my conservation and restoration work of very old papers I use: Kozo paper (from Japan or France!)...
Mistumata paper...
and Gampi work!
versus paper from 1649!
Visit of the 'Papeterie Saint-Armand' (papermakers in Montreal).
Suminagashi
(handmade marbling paper).
Handmade paper (cotton, linen, recycled paper, etc.).
Pulp paper and molding the sheets one by one.
I also use some solar print sheets (print without ink just with the Sun!, or bacterial ink, etc.). On the photo, I make some tests with old recycled carbon paper from 1960'.
Making a book takes 50 steps to master.
I use old tools (press, sewing frame, hammer, compass, square) which do not require electricity...except...
...for gilding letters and titles!
Classes with Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (program in Natural Sciences Illustration).
Thanks to Yale I now know how to use colored pencils :-D
Portfolio in progress (manuscripts + 2 books for children).
