The exhibition "Scripta manent IV" (writing remains) with the concurrent conference organized by the Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders in co-operation with the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Estonian Leatherwork Artists’ Union continues the tradition of international exhibitions of artistic bookbinding in Estonia.

The exhibition "Scripta manent IV" will be opened on September 28, 2010 and will remain open until January 9, 2011.
The books will be exhibited in the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design at Lai Street 17 in Tallinn.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a
conference in the National Library of Estonia (Tõnismägi 2, Tallinn) on September 28 at 10 a.m.

All artists who relate to a book as a binding or as an object of art through any material or technique are welcome to participate. With this exhibition we continue the tradition of international bookbinding exhibitions in Estonia. We follow the set practice that all participating artists bind the same collections of text. This time the exhibition is dedicated to the famous Estonian composer Veljo Tormis whose music has been inspired by the rich folklore and nature of the Fenno-Ugric peoples and who is celebrating his 80th birthday in 2010.

 

300 bibliophile numbered sets of sheets in size 32 x 22,5 cm have been published for the exhibition. Parallel texts in the Estonian and English language have been printed on Cyclus Offset 140 g plain paper made from recyclable fibre.

"The Word Was Sung“, the author of the book is Veljo Tormis, the text has been written down by Urve Lippus from audio transcripts and jottings.

The text, exemplified with musical notes, consists of four lectures where Veljo Tormis speaks about his creative work and the Estonian folk music. The sets of sheets are accompanied by a CD that contains excerpts of works by Veljo Tormis, his take on folk music for contemporary world.

Compositions by Veljo Tormis unite primal and current sensibilities, the lore that has been sung and will be sung again and again. He shows to the audience the prehistoric spirit of our ancestors and helps to perceive the true nature of regilaul (the Estonian runic song) – the world that existed in ancient songs and still continues to exist nowadays.

Simple and yet mystic music by Veljo Tormis has fascinated thousands of music lovers in Estonia and abroad. The composer does not comment on folk song, he simply brings out all that existed in the folk song since its inception at the time of shamans, spells and incantations.


Sirje Kriisa
Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders
Head of the board


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About Veljo Tormis

Why Tormis? Read more...

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Read article at the Estonian cultural newspaper Sirp (5.11.2010)