Project « Bindings: between utilitarian design and works of art »

The primary function of bindings is to protect the paper or parchment contents of the book. They can be examined from many different angles, as simple functional designs or as genuine works of art created to appeal to rich bibliophiles. 

Mariemont’s collections can be used to investigate workshop practices, the tools and materials used and the profile and expectations of those who bought them. Raoul Warocqué commissioned the recovering of many of his paperback works and these transactions have been documented in the archives, offering an insight into his relationships with the book binding community, in particular Charles de Samblanx and Jacques Weckesser. 

Today, Mariemont offers artists opportunities to conduct research into book design and creation, thereby perpetuating Warocqué’s love of artistic book bindings.