Inka Biedermann

Bookbinder | Springe, Germany

Covered with precise art

Inka developed her own binding technique called Archand
To her, bookbinding is an artform like painting
She has a particular expertise in creating facsimiles

Inka Biedermann is fascinated by restoring books and creating new books from scratch for stories. Using both leather and paper, she transforms books into something very new. Her palette is expanded by other materials used in bookbinding such as gold leaf metal, silk thread, and linen thread. Inka understands her books as three-dimensional moving objects and designs them with this in mind. Inside and out, open or closed, on the table or on the shelf, every angle deserves her creative attention, according to her. However, by reducing the use of technical aids, her binding form appears clear and timeless.

Interview

©Christoph Naumann

How would you define what you do?: In addition to being a bookbinder, I am also an artist. My skills enable me to translate narrative into typography, illustration and design. This creative process is very well thought-out and heavily influenced by inspiration. There is a point where the books I create just 'flow' out of my hands.
What do people not usually know about your work?: A book's leather cover is approximately 1.5 mm thick. I prefer a technique where leather is sharpened with a knife so thin that light shines through its pores. To accomplish this work requires intense concentration and sensitivity. Machines cannot replace human hands in this process.
What do you love most about your craft?: The variety of possibilities that result from the numerous and different stories that can be found in books is what I love most. I am fascinated by the earlier books and all their special features, as well as those of a contemporary audience. As I am able to work with so many different kinds of books, I feel that I am always discovering something new.
What are your specialisations?: I developed a binding form that I call Archand. By using this type of binding, I create books that can stand freely in space like an object. My specialty is creating artistic one-of-a-kind pieces on behalf of other artists and for myself. Additionally, I have great experience making facsimiles. Museums often commission me for this kind of work.

Inka Biedermann is a master artisan: she began her career in 1992 and she started teaching in 1997