Friday, June 4, 2010 - Michael Schwartz Library - Cleveland State ...

OCTAVOFEST: Celebrating the Book and Paper ArtsMinutes (of a sort) and To Do List, Etc.June 3, 2010I believe that the group who met at 11:00 a.m. on June 3 rd , at the Michael Schwartz Library, agreed with the followingproposal. We will hold an OCTAVOFEST during the month of October 2010 similar to what is outlined below, basedupon grouping people and events that were, to some extent, already going to happen, together under a loosefederation coordinated by CSU Michael Schwartz Library. It is anticipated that this “event” will be a precursor to agrowing, annual celebration of the book, paper, and book arts. Our decisions and a To‐Do list follow the proposal.Purpose: To celebrate book and paper artsPROPOSALWhy: Paper, Printing, and Books may be the most important technologies ever invented, next to writing, of course (andmaybe a few other things). With the excitement and energy emerging with the advent of the digital age, it is importantnot to overlook or undervalue the underlying technologies.Situational Facts: Many cities have book festivals, but despite Cleveland’s literary and cultural heritage, we do not.However, within Cleveland there are many disparate groups who love books, paper, and art, often bringing theseelements together in creative ways. It appears that between the area’s marvelous libraries, museums, and othercultural institutions; creative book and paper artists; paper enthusiasts; and many others, that there is significant energyand opportunity to mass our forces and create a “festival” to celebrate our commonly held values.Proposal: I believe that such a festival could begin this fall (as a trial run), by all of us simply concentrating some of ourcurrent efforts on the same time frame (October?), utilizing a common name, and doing the things that we already do.In many cases it may be simply each of us knowing more about events that are already planned or which could berepeated). Depending upon the interest expressed by our community, perhaps we could continue this effort as a regularcultural event!Some Suggestions for Events:For Participating organizations such as librariesDisplays of paper artsDisplays of rare books, art books, beautiful books, unusual books, beautiful book bindingsProviding opportunities for “Table talks” on papermaking, book binding, book art, etc.Scheduling lectures by rare book dealers, book collectors, paper conservators, others?Tours of the Morgan, Intermuseum Conservation Association, Rare Books Rooms, Cleveland Museum of Art, etc.What Else?For Individual Artists, Speakers, etc.Providing items for displaysGiving lecturesDoing table talksDoing demosWhat Else?