Andrew Huot and Big River Bindery

 

 

Walking into Huot’s shop was very exciting. As soon as I saw the antique cast iron book presses and shelves of bound books, I was excited. Hearing Huot enthuse about book binding and seeing him present some of his work re-enforced my interest in bookbinding and conservation. I have been interested in book binding for over a year now, and to be able to walk into an actual workshop was an amazing experience. Huot gave us a tour around his shop while introducing the tools of his trade and the machinery he used to create his prints. The whole thing was remarkably packed with cool information, and I was particularly interested in his work restoring and conserving older books like family bibles and beloved books.

 

 

 

                             We even got to handle the proof press machine and create our own print.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huot’s background in art and conservation is one that visibly comes together in bookbinding and book restoration. Like creating prints, the act of conservation is an artform.  Bookbinding and conservation is really delicate work where decisions are being made in order to transform parts of something in order to create a whole which really delves into what art is about. The act of creation in any form evokes some sort of connection with artistic expression. I would like to try my hand at binding my own book, and from examining Huot’s work, there are so many ways to expression yourself in the act of bookbinding. Hopefully, I will be able to take Professor Beidler’s bookbinding class senior year. I can see why we went to see Huot’s workshop because physically walking into the space sparked so much conversation and inspiration.