What is Ex-libris?
Ex-libris are small-sized graphic works that book lovers paste on the inside cover of their books, with their names and pictures on different subjects. It is the business card or title deed of the book. The ex-libris introduces and glorifies the book owner and warns the borrower to return the book. It literally means from ...'s library.
Ex-libris is an important communication tool. Although it was born as a necessity graphic, it is an original work made with aesthetic concerns. It brings art between people's hands, into books, and makes them feel its mesmerising warmth. This branch of art, which has a very long history, attracts attention because it carries the cultural and historical characteristics of the period in which it was made to the present day, and is used as an important exchange object between artists and collectors.
Ex-librises are works that can be reproduced by using traditional printmaking techniques such as engraving, linoleum, woodcut, lithography, serigraphy as well as new technologies such as computer, photography and offset printing, enabling art to reach a wide audience. There is no material limitation for exlibris. All possibilities of painting, printmaking and graphic design can be used.
Turkey recognised ex-libris through books bought from the West. Ex-libris books, which are widely used in European countries, entered our country through second-hand sales, and when the owners of these books died, their relatives donated them to libraries or sold them to booksellers.
Ex-libris Association, which was first established in 1997 in Ankara, has been continuing its activities in Istanbul since 2008 as Istanbul Ex-libris Association. In 2000, it became a member of FISAE. It has opened ex-libris exhibitions in 15 major cities in Turkey and 11 different countries. It has organised 5 International Ex-libris competitions until today. In 2010, it organised the 33rd FISAE International Ex-libris Congress. Next year, it will organise the 2nd International Ex-libris Congress and the 6th International Ex-libris Competition in cooperation with Istinye University, Selçuk Ecza Deposu and Bozlu Art Project. Istanbul Ex-libris Museum, the biggest goal of the association, was established in 2019. With its 17,000 ex-libris collection, hundreds of books and catalogues, it serves as a school for those interested in ex-libris.
In Turkey, since 2000, young people who make ex-libris have started to be trained with the encouragement of printmaking and graphic design teachers, especially in fine arts education institutions. Artists receive awards in international competitions. Ex-libris design is taught as a course in 7 universities. There are 28 master's and doctoral theses on ex-libris. Hasip Pektaş's book "Ex-Libris", published in 1996, has had 4 editions. Online Exlibrist magazine publishes articles in Turkish and English.
Details: http://www.aed.org.tr/tr/ekslibris/en Istanbul Ex-libris Association and Museum: Altunizade, Mahir İz Cd. 45, TR-34662 Uskudar-Istanbul, Turkey e-mail: hasipp@gmail.com
Istanbul Ex-libris Association Website: http://www.aed.org.tr
International Online Ex-libris Magazine: http://exlibrist.net/index.php/exlibrist
Exlibris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekslibris.tr
Exlibris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5881049786