St. Brides

Outside in the courtyard churchbells resonate erillee every half hour providing a traditional backdrop for today's talks that are focusing on the design heritage of a dying format.

There was a little exhibition taking place in a small room downstairs as well. It focused on small presses around UK that produced very small runs and one offs of books or zines using pretty much nothing but traditional crafts. It's amazing to look at some of this 50 year old work and see how stylized it is that it wouldn't be out of place in show today.


Friday a few of us were lucky enough to get tickets to St. Brides to see the form of the book. Commenting, on the Past, present and future of the book with some guest speakers from around the world it was a long day which did see me nodding off a few times but it wasn't my fault, the room was really hot and the way they'd set up the mic's made the speakers sound like they were coming from another planet or something. Like seriously everytime I closed my eyes I just slipped into this dream world where I was picking up surround sound the voice of a german man who was telling me about an amazing book he made that managed to have more than one centre fold or something. But no, overall it was a good day. A variety of speakers some having only just graduated from the RCA. some needing a walking stick to aid their standing for the half hour. But they were definately the best. Richard Hollis gave an amazing insight into the design world that he grew up in, laying up books.
Just some other stuff I noticed whilst my mind wondered....

A Strange little man, with horn rimmed glasses.
Dressed in a 70's esc suit, pink shirt, BAD tie.
But look at that watch, it looks like he skinned a cow to make it's strap.

"Can you hear" he asks "Because if anyone at the back can't hear,
please raise your hand and tell us...
I can't hear, Yes ok lets begin"
LAUGHTER. *awkward smile*
He drinks more water . Do you think he does alot of coke?
Something making him anxious?
A rool full of people....
why are you sweating,
ENGLISH PSYCHO.

A good day. An amazing place. Will deffinately have to visit again... O and I almost forgot. Free tea, biscuits, OJ, and our own name badges. Nice touch.