Option 1: Bookbinding Workshop - Istanbul Summer Intensive

MEETING INFO:

Date: July 23 - 24, 2022

Time: 10 AM - 1 PM

Course Format: In-person

Instructor: Osman Doruk Hoca

A Glimpse into Traditional Turkish Bookbinding

The technical aspects of calligraphy, painting, and bookbinding are essential facets of the study of Islamic art. Ateliers supported by rulers and members of their extended families produced copies of famous literary works, histories, and Qur’ans.

“In the Ottoman period, the Holy Qur'an and other religious books were ornamented much like jewelry. Moreover, the Ottoman Sultans’ love of books and founding libraries resulted in rich collections and grand books, reaching the highest level of the bookbinding art as an artistic branch of the Ottoman Empire…These bindings…have survived today from the fifteenth century and are protected…in Turkish libraries and museums, and exhibit the taste and magnificence of the Ottoman Empire.”

This two-day workshop introduces art lovers to this age-old book art and is open to anyone interested in book arts who has basic craft skills.

The workshop will introduce the historical foundations of book arts in Islamic civilizations. Our master bookbinder, Osman Doruk Hoca, will guide students through the step-by-step process of putting together a book with a leather cover. In addition, each student will make a handmade leather journal with an Islamic design to take home.

Workshops will be conducted in English.

Included Materials & Equipment

Vegetable-tanned goat leather, linen thread for sewing, binders needles, bone folder, awl, paring knife, lying press, paste, ornamentation tools, craft knife, scissors, high-quality paper 90 gr, cutting mat, paste brush, steel ruler 30 cm.

Our Teacher

Osman Doruk is a world-renowned scholar and artist of Traditional Turkish Bookbinding. He is considered the preeminent authority in the restoration of precious manuscripts.  He graduated from the Traditional Turkish Arts Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.  Following his graduation, he started to work as a lecturer in the Turkish Bookbinding department of the same university. Osman has received many awards in bookbinding competitions in Turkiye, and his works are in many private collections and museums, both national and international. He continues his work at the Pürsanat art studio in Istanbul, which he founded in 2010 with other master artists.

In these two Youtube videos, master bookbinder Osman Doruk explores the depth of knowledge, dedication, and skill required to become a bookbinder. Viewers can watch as Doruk works on a leather book cover while listening to descriptions of his apprenticeship, reflections on tradition and innovation, and the role of bookbinding in an age of print. As one of the few remaining bookbinders, Osman treats us to a behind-the-scenes look at his ancient craft.

The Last Book Binder

Living Traditions