Barbara Mortkowitz Curates Ido Agassi Exhibit

Book Art: Ido Agassi and Even Hoshen Press of Ra'anana, Israel

Exhibition at Graduate Theological Union through February 28, 2010

2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA

Ido Agassi and Even Hoshen Press of Ra'anana, Israel are currently exhibiting their fine art books in the display cases at GTU.

Ido Agassi is a master bookbinder, printer and publisher, who in an age of mass production, has returned bookmaking to a genuine craft and fine art form. His handcrafted, limited and numbered editions transform classic and Hebrew literature into works of art.

From their letterpress and intaglio publishing house in Ra'anana, Ido and his father Uzi Agassi craft their fine art books, which have been purchased by libraries, museums, galleries and private collectors throughout the world.

Barbara Mortkowitz, curator of the exhibition says, "It's quite an honor to be able to exhibit the work of Ido Agassi and Even Hoshen Press at the Graduate Theological Union." Mortkowitz who first met Agassi at the Codez International Book Fair in 2007, has curated several shows of their work, most recently at the Mechanics Library in San Francisco as well as the Jewish Community Library.

GTU Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 9:00pm

Friday: 8:30pm - 5:00pm

Saturday: 11:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday: 1:00pm - 7:00pm

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

Currently on display in San Francisco : Fine Art Books from Israel

Read page 1 of this newsletter from the Mechanics' Institute Library

Currently on display at the Mechanics' Institute Library, are works of "book" art, handmade limited-edition books produced by Even Hoshen Press. These handcrafted, limited editions transform classic and contemporary Hebrew literature into works of art. Calligraphy, original etchings and prints illuminate texts on high quality papers which are sewn by hand and encased in whimsical bindings and boxes.

These books have never before been in the United States until Barbara Mortkowitz brought them for this rare exhibition. They are in the display cases on the second and third floors.

Mechanics' Institute Library
57 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-393-0101