Monday, February 20, 2012

Centre for the Book at Otago

the new Centre for the Book at the University of Otago has just launched its website - the aims of the Centre are - or better, go to its website here



As a Centre we interpret ‘book’ broadly to encompass every aspect of written or printed communication, including physical representations and the cultural impact of the written word.
The Centre for the Book aims to:
  • Enhance the wide range of book-centred activities that take place throughout Dunedin
  • Emphasize Dunedin’s rich cultural heritage in print, as producer, consumer, and preserver of books
  • Encourage research in all facets of the book (in its broadest sense) by utilizing the diverse resources available
  • Promote interaction and communication on the book within the University of Otago, and other local, national and international institutions.


here's one view from the University's Otakou Press which has an active Printer in Residence program (with the present writer as the 2008 PiR -

Monday, February 13, 2012

Exhibition & Symposium

Adventure & Art - an exhibition & symposium
         the fine press book 1450 - 2011


Leigh Scott Gallery, Level 1, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
     1 March to 27 May 2012

Adventure & Art, curated by poet and fine press printer Alan Loney, is about the printer’s craft, evidenced from the first printed books in the 15th century, and given a hugely influential impetus by William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement at the end of the 19th. This exhibition will show how a number of technologies that are obsolete in commercial terms are still current in creative & craft terms in the 21st century. Exhibited will be books from the Baillieu Library’s Special Collections from Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia

A Symposium discussing the nature and definition of fine press books will be held from 2-5pm on March 9th 2012 in the Leigh Scott Room in the Baillieu Library.

Each of the speakers at this symposium has arrived at the fine press book in different ways. It is hoped that the symposium will inform as much as interest and delight those who see the exhibition and attend the day's discussions.

Speakers at the symposium are Alan Loney, Andrew Schuller, Peter Vangioni, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Carolyn Fraser and Caren Florance.

To book, go HERE