The Codex Foundation
Our Mission
The Codex Foundation exists to preserve and promote the art and craft of the book. Our mission is educational and, in the broadest possible context, to bring to public recognition the artisanship and the rich history of the civilizations of the book.
The art and craft of the book depends upon the knowledge of traditional forms, design, and hand-manufacture; as well as familiarity with the latest technologies, imaging sciences, and automated printing machines. The knowledge essential to the continued life of traditional forms of hand-manufacture and the transmission of that knowledge is seriously endangered in our age of electro-mechanical reproduction and digital information. Now, more than ever, the fine arts of the book need patronage and strategic support in order to thrive.
Latest News
The CODEX Foundation just finished our second major event: The 2009 biennial CODEX International Book Fair and Symposium. It was held February 8 through 11, 2009 on the campus of The University of California Berkeley. The Symposium “Considering the Book as a Work of Art” entailed an exciting line-up of speakers and presenters, including keynote presentations from Ron King (UK), Lawrence Weschler (US) Antoine Coron (FR) and artists from around the world. At the bookfair the 140 plus booths for printers, international artists and publishers sold out two months prior to the opening day. Many of the most significant European presses as well as American book artists were present. CODEX's Biennial Book Fair and Symposium is fast becoming the “World's Fair” of the Art of the Book.
For a taste of what a Codex Symposium is like, watch this video of Codex founder Peter Koch opening the 2007 session;
Or the Robert Bringhurst lecture
There are a dozen lectures in mp3 and video on the 2007 Codex Symposium page;
Codex Publications
The Codex Foundation produces a number of print and web publications. Book Art Object is an archive of the 2007 Codex Bookfair, with photographs and information on every exhibitor who presented that year. The Foundation also produces the CODE (X) + 1 Monograph Series, with work by Robert Bringhurst, Peter Koch and Alan Loney.
Codex Bookfair 2011 Registration
Codex Bookfair and Symposium 2011 registration will be available soon. Please check back for details.