Books are not stolen. They are taken to read, worked with for a long time, and as a result, not returned, especially those that are dearly loved. To combat this category of people, the ex-libris was invented. Translated from Latin, “exlibris” means “from the books.” It is a mark indicating who the true owner of the book is. It appeared in Germany almost simultaneously with book printing. At first, the ex-libris was a printed sheet with the owner’s name and some image. It was attached to the inside of the cover. Over time, the book guardian turned into an exquisite graphic miniature. Great masters such as Dürer, Hogarth, Favorsky, and Narbut worked hard on the technique of the book mark.
In Kherson, only about 2-3 people engage in this type of visual art. And few know about them.
From October 30 to November 1, the most interesting ex-libris by Felix Kider and the young artist Stas Volyazlovsky are exhibited at the Honchar Scientific Library. The exhibition is primarily intended for the British Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, Robert Brinkley. The “ordinary” Kherson resident is simply given the opportunity to see world-class book marks for the first time, even if only out of the corner of their eye.
Stas Volyazlovsky is an active participant in various international exhibitions in France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria. Creativity even takes away his leisure time. The young artist is slowly but completely mastering the technique of “drypoint” writing. This is when the mark is scratched onto ordinary tin with a sharp object (needle, compass).
Then the drawing is filled with paint and printed on a press. Ex-libris of this kind have “torn” edges and seem “alive”.
The traditional method of reproducing images is etching (from French – “strong water”). The book mark is made on a metal plate covered with varnish. After applying the image, the plate is dipped in acid. It “eats away” the grooves and depressions. The ex-libris is filled with paint and rolled on an etching press. This produces up to 500 quality impressions. The modern ex-libris has lost its utility. Previously, it had to reflect the direction of the owner’s library.
Now taste, originality of the idea, and quality of its artistic embodiment are more important.
“Catering to the consumer means destroying yourself as a creative individual. Money harms art,” explains Stas. “I know artists who live well by selling their ex-libris abroad. But that’s not for me.”
Art is above all. Even Stas’s wife, Yulia, has joined the creative process. It’s just a pity that ex-libris contests and festivals are not held here. Books at home are increasingly being replaced by PCs, video, media. Soon, probably, “cool uncles” will be sticking their ex-libris there.Link
