Join founder of CODEX Peter Koch, in answering the question; “when is a book a work of art and not just a book made by an artist?” By looking at the book as a practical tool and as something deeper in meaning, can we see a third possibility? Do books shine with their own significance, reflecting the craftsmanship that created them? Peter will explore Craft and Artisanal Work as a spiritual and physical discipline. He will focus on the mysticism of craft, tracing the conceptual roots of “ensouled matter” from ancient sources to contemporary artists. Join the ABM in this exciting and insightful conversation about the “Book.”

Date: Saturday February 1, 2025
Time: 11:ooam PST
Cost: $10

About our Speaker:

In 1974 Peter Koch opened a letterpress printing office inaugurating a 50 year-long career as book designer, printer, and literary publisher, first in Montana and then San Francisco and Berkeley. In 2005 he and his wife Susan Filter co-founded the biennial CODEX International Book Fair and Symposium. Before retiring from the day-to-day operations of the Foundation in 2022, Peter also directed the Foundation’s comprehensive monograph, catalog, and portfolio publishing program. His designs, books, and prints have recently been the subject of a multi-volume bibliography and catalog to accompany retrospective exhibitions at Stanford University and the Grolier Club in New York City. He continues to direct the REAL LEAD SALOON and write on subjects exploring the bibliosphere.