The Codex Book Fair happens every two years in Berkley California at the Craneway Pavillion. It brings together artists from the U.S. and all over the world to share their work with a larger audience. CODEX was established as a foundation and a place for promoting the book as a work of art. Always, I am energized to meet so many book artist in one place. The first day of the fair I find my table and unpack. It is amazing the amount of labor and years of art work I am able to take out of two large suitcases. I am table number 45 and am fortunate to be in between a book artist from Italy called Buon Tempo and Tom Bollero from Morgan Conservatory Paper. Artist stand transfixed at his table not thinking just wanting to touch this hand made paper.What is this sense touch? So much of our lives become moderated though a flat screen. For paper, books and artist books it is touch. The turning of pages. Sequential time waiting for the next page and then the next with textures, words and sound that become alive. All of it contained in one small square space. Artist books are both pragmatic and is anarchy because it is this reader thinking for ones self.

 

Artist Books', Berkley California, Book Arts, Codex