EVENTS

For Infinity and Beyond

IAP Classes

IAP Classes

Preservation and Conservation Services IAP course offerings are open to MIT community members only.

IAP is MIT’s famed Independent Activities Period that runs for the month of January. Preservation and Conservation Services has participated by offering many educational bookbinding workshops over the years.

The 2010 IAP offering is:

Bookbinding in the Japanese Tradition

Participants will create a side-sewn soft-cover book using the techniques of traditional Japanese bookbinding. The workshop will include an overview of the history, materials, and techniques of the Japanese bookmaking tradition, which is markedly different from that used to create Western books.  Each participant will complete one blank book covered in beautiful Japanese decorative paper. 

Past IAP classes include:

Creative Bookbinding: Flag Book

The flag book is an exciting format that offers budding book artists myriad possibilities of content and design. It consists of a simple accordion-folded spine with pages called flags. The flags may be decorated and arranged in unique ways to create a kinetic experience for the viewer. During the workshop, participants will make their own flag book model while exploring the basics of this interesting book structure. This will also be a special opportunity to work in the E. Martin and Ethel Wunsch Conservation Laboratory, and learn about the Libraries’ efforts to preserve MIT’s unique and varied collections. We will provide all materials, including a selection of decorative papers. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm!

Creative Pamphlet Making

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a simple, yet beautiful, book by hand? If so, please join the Preservation and Conservation Services staff at the Libraries for a morning of creative pamphlet making. During the workshop, traditional techniques for folding pages, sewing pages together, and making a cover for a pamphlet will be introduced. We will provide a selection of blank text paper, decorated cover papers, and colored thread for participants to make two small pamphlets each.

Floating Color: The Art of Marbling Paper

Marbling is the ancient art of floating colors on thickened water, swirling patterns, and transferring the design to paper. Today marbled patterns are found on fabric, inside boxes, and on notepaper. This workshop will reveal the mysteries of this once secretive art. Participants will learn about the history of marbling, see a demonstration, and have an opportunity to try their hand at the craft

Preserving the past for the future: A behind the scenes tour of the E. Martin and Ethel Wunsch Conservation Laboratory

In the MIT tradition of applied technology, Preservation and Conservation Services at the MIT Libraries integrates centuries old bookbinding methods with the latest conservation science techniques. Please come and tour the E. Martin and Ethel Wunsch Conservation Laboratory, meet the conservation staff, and see exciting work in progress. We look forward to seeing you!

Last updated July 27, 2010