Barbara Mortkowitz & Ido Agassi

Ido Agassi at work

Barbara Mortkowitz is currently involved with organizing events for Ido Agassi. Ido is a master bookbinder, printer and publisher who has returned bookmaking to a genuine craft and fine art form. Ido Agassi's handcrafted, limited and numbered editions transform classic and Hebrew literature into works of art. With use of distinctive typography, calligraphy, original prints, aquatints, and etchings, Ido Agassi employs a host of techniques to illuminate the texts on highest qualities of papers.

The pages are sewn by hand and encased in a variety of whimsical bindings, boxes, and slipcases to literally create worlds in miniature. For example, the story of David versus Goliath is bound by a leather slingshot (stone included) and the poem "Mein Blaus Klavier" ("My Blue Piano") written by Else Lasker-Schuler, is imprinted on the paper keys of a book-sized cloth grand piano.

My Blue Piano

David & Goliath

From their letterpress and intaglio publishing house in Ra'anana, Israel, Ido and his father Uzi Agassi meticulously craft their host of fine art books which are currently exhibited in libraries, museums, galleries and private collections around the world. Blending the arts of sculpture, graphic design, and bookbinding, the rare and inspired Agassi masterpieces will fascinate bibliophiles and arts lovers alike. For more information visit Even Hoshen Press.

Ido Agassi & Even Hoshen Press of Ra'anana, Israel will be presenting their handcrafted fine art books at the CODEX Book Fair, February 9-11 in the ASUC Pauley Ballroom on the U.C. Berkeley Campus.

For details, please visit: http://www.codexfoundation.org/

Deathfugue

Bejuquero