Andrés Alés

The tailor of books

• Andrés learned his craft in the family workshop
• He claims to think with his hands
• He is an avid reader

Andrés Alés learnt the basics of bookbinding from his father, in whose workshop he trained from 1977 to 1987. During this time, Andrés went through all the different stages of training in a traditional craft: apprentice first, journeyman second, and finally master bookbinder. To this he added a university degree in classical philology. Andrés says he also discovered the beauty of restoration during this time. “On one hand I have the necessary background and on the other I have the artisan's caress and touch, which is the love that a piece needs to receive in order to stand out.” As a book lover, Andrés cites reading as a key source of inspiration. To him, diving into multiple realities creates a deep bond with the content, which he then binds with his hands, dressing books as a tailor dresses people.

Interview

©Manuel Arellano

©Manuel Arellano

What was the first object you made?

I believe it was in 1980, and it was perhaps the first complex work I made: a collection of ten volumes of the history of Spain bound in Spanish leather, with a hand-bound title and ornamentation on the spine.

Do you have any advice for an artisan just starting out?

First of all, every failure leads to an initial disappointment and horror that immediately translate into learning and improvement. I would also recommend never having financial expectations. But most importantly, to not try to be an artist.

Is there something you regret about your craft?

There is an unfortunate general feeling today that people do not need the book as an object anymore, let alone its binding. This is particularly prevalent in the new generations.

In your opinion, what does make your craft relevant?

Ten years ago there was a fire at the Los Palacios archive here in Seville. Just three years earlier, with my partner Rocío Hermosín, I had restored the 17th century El Libro del Becerro, which is the founding book of the town. A great portion of the archive was reduced to ashes but this precious tome was saved thanks to the preservation box we had made for it.

Andrés Alés is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1977

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Works

©Andres Ales

©Andres Ales

©Andres Ales

©Andres Ales

©Andres Ales

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