Art bookbinder Christine Fabre Bourgeois and artist Jean-Noël László, who loves words and wordplay, let us into some of the secrets of their art.
The bookbinding workshop set up by Jacques Boccone in Marseille in the 1950s was taken over by Christine Fabre Bourgeois in 1995: "After three years' training and various internships I was ready to launch out on my own. Bookbinding suits my tastes for literature and for work that is both artistic and manual. When I started out I was doing conventional bookbinding, but now I concentrate on contemporary creations." These days she can share her passion, working on joint projects with Jean-Noël László, who says he likes "le lisible et le visible" – the readable and the visible. A French-Brazilian artist bursting with ideas and subjects, Jean-Noël László started out producing fringe art communications, especially "mail art". He has published several books on that subject. Since 2001 he has also been producing artist books in partnership with contemporary poets.
Capital letters
Each inspired by their personal experiences and constantly exchanging ideas, they say they never disagree over purely creative matters. Last year they designed the Lettres Capitales exhibition together, from A to Z. That exhibition, about books as precious objects and vectors of culture, was approved by the cultural committee of the Union pour la Méditerranée and presented both as part of Marseille's Capital of Culture year and for the 30th anniversary of the Maison de l'Artisanat et des Métiers d'Arts de Marseille, official home of artistic crafts in Marseille. Info nugget: Christine Fabre Bourgeois also gives evening bookbinding classes in her workshop. It's a fascinating craft that anyone can do and a great way to conserve a journal or rejuvenate a favourite book.
Atelier Christine Fabre-Bourgeois, cours Estienne d'Orves (immeuble des Arcenaulx, 2e étage). Tél. 04 91 33 93 31.
By Louis Badie
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