The aim of this 2 day intensive studio workshop is to explore ideas about photobooks and create draft of handmade photobook dummy. We will be focusing on the following aspects of book making: editing, sequencing, designing, bookmaking.
Date: 3-4 of February 2024
Place: L'Enfant Sauvage bxl
Rue de l'Enseignement 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Cost: £225
Number of participants: min 6, max 10
Testimonials:
"The workshop organized by Tomasz in 2018 was decisive in the development of my first photo book, for questions of editing, narrative intention and design. With dynamism and benevolence, he is attentive to listening and very attentive to the challenges of each project. With his deep reflexion about photo book, Tomasz is great for anyone who wants to embark on the (self) publishing adventure."
Elie Monferier -- Photoespania Book of the Year 2020
“This workshop with Tomasz allowed me to really put a new work in motion – his generous and precise insight brought a fresh dynamic as well as a new formal approach to the pictures. Since, the project has been shown in two exhibitions and has received a grant to produce the book!”
Matilda Holloway -- participant of 2019 workshop organised by Espace Saint-Cyprien Toulouse 2020
“This is exactly what I expected as a workshop, constructive with a listening group, and a first book’s draft Tomasz understands right now and pays attention to everyone. He's full of ideas and knows how to give each one of the tips that match his project perfectly, with a great organization. Thank you. It was great.”
Daniele Boucon -- participant of 2019 workshop organised by Espace Saint-Cyprien Toulouse 2020
About the workshop
This is an all-analogue workshop; no knowledge of editing programs is necessary.
We will concentrate on the following aspects of bookmaking: theory of editing, editing combined with exercises, designing the layout of a dummy, introduction to bookbinding, sawing exercises, introduction to papers, designing the cover, introduction to printing techniques, and introduction to publishing.
Participants are required to bring a set of images in 3 different sizes, which will be used for editing as well as developing a dummy. Participants will be asked to bring their own tools.
Minimum of 6; maximum of 10 people.
Aimed at: photographers with projects developed that they want to turn into book dummy, artists intending to turn their work into the form of a book; and those who wish to create an artist's book as a medium of expression.
Participants are required to send by email about 30–40 pictures as well as text describing their project. Before the workshop, the project will be discussed to find the best design solution for developing it later. The aim is that each participant will finish the workshop with a physical draft dummy that could be developed further. We will also cover some technical aspects of making books with practical exercises.
About the tutor
Tomasz Laczny is a visual artist and bookmaker who loves to teach and learn about the process of creating photobooks. Since 2015, he has been creating and publishing photo books. He works as a book artist and, most recently, as a book designer for (M)edition and Ibasho Gallery.
His recent photobook, "Erna Helena Ania'' is part of the MoMA collection library. The book won a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo International Foto Awards, a bronze medal at the 2021 International Photographers of the Year, and has been a finalist for the 2021 International Photobook Award. The project is a winner of BUP book competition organised by Blow Up Press (2020). He is a winner of the Reminders Photography Stronghold Grand (2020). His previous books have been nominated for numerous photography awards and exhibited internationally. His first photobook "40/place which does not exist," received an honorable mention at the Kassel Dummy Award in 2016. His recent designed book "Absentee" (author Sayuri Ichida) has been shortlisted for Prix Nadar Prize 2022. He has organised workshops about the subject of photobook making internationally.
List of things to bring:
-- set of aprox 30-40 images in 3 sizes:
(i) A5 (aprox. 148 x 210mm) ,
(ii) A6 (aprox. 105 x 148mm), and
(iii) A7 (aprox. 105 x 148mm) –
We will use them for editing and to test your dummy's structure, so please don't bring expensive printouts. Even basic laser printing on budget paper might be used for these. We also experiment with different sizes of images. We will select approximately 15-20 images for the final dummy. Later, you will be able to build your book around this restricted selection.
-- scissors
-- pencil
-- cutter
-- metal ruler (30–50 cm)
-- cutting mat
-- fast drying glue
-- double sided tape
-- bone folder
-- tread and needles
– low-cost A4 paper
-- paper for the cover
Detailed schedule.
3 FEB SATURDAY start 10:00
10:00 - 10:30 -- introduction of the tutor, introduction to photobook making, samples of handmade books
10:30 - 11:30 -- short introduction to the projects of each participant
11:30-12:30 -- Editing and visual narration introduction
12:30 - 13:30 – lunch break
13:30 - 17:30 – editing (group and individual)
4 FEB SUNDAY start 10:00
10:00 - 11:30 -- stitching exercises
11:30 - 12:30 -- individual work on a book dummy
12:30 - 13:30 -- lunch break
13:30 - 15:30 -- individual work on a book dummy
15:30 - 17:30 -- final presentation of each person
About L'Enfant Sauvage
Based in Brussels L'Enfant Sauvage is an exhibition space dedicated to photography.
L'Enfant Sauvage wants to encourage, support and promote those who produce images of all sorts and photographic techniques.
Creating a real dialogue and exchange for a large and diverse public, this place 100% auto financed is a cultural actor that wishes to stimulate local, national and international scene by advancing the creators and putting them in first place.
L'Enfant Sauvage is also a meeting hub, a place for discovery and a creative space, providing exhibitions, workshops and other events pertaining photography throughout the year.
In addition l'enfant sauvage houses a small bookshop in partnership with tipi bookshop and editions le mullet, turning the spotlight to auto published books on photography.
L'ES doesn't stop there and publishes self-published books or fanzines by photographers exhibiting in the L'Enfant Sauvage gallery or coup de coeur.
L'ES also provides a second exhibit to support and encourage talented young artists and students throughout the year.
L'Enfant Sauvage is an adventurous cultural millipede and does not limit itself to photography but involves graphic artists, musical collectives and is open to art in many of its forms.
