Theresa Wedemeyer

BuchObjekt

Bookbinder

Florian Ropers©Theresa Wedemeyer

©Theresa Wedemeyer

Florian Ropers©Theresa Wedemeyer

The book master

Theresa uses traditional book binding techniques
She creates books, graphics and restores historical books
She spent three years travelling to discover new perspectives on her craft

Initially an apprenticeship in the craft of bookbinding was just intended to be a preliminary step towards restoration studies. That however quickly changed during the course of the apprenticeship as Theresa Wedemeyer began to dive deep into the diverse techniques and centuries-old traditions of her craft: “I realised how versatile this profession is and how satisfying it is to see the result at the end of the day." Following a visit to Luxembourg, Theresa Wedemeyer decided to take to the road after finishing her apprenticeship in order to enrich her skills. After over three years as a journeyman, she set up her own workshop in the little village of Emstek in the north of Germany and completed a course at the Akademie für Gestaltung in Münster. Today, she is known for her unique book designs that are executed with remarkable skill and she teaches at her Alma Mater.

Where

Interview

Florian Ropers©Theresa Wedemeyer

Florian Ropers©Theresa Wedemeyer

How did you start building up your workshop?: It went very slowly, step by step. The best machines and tools for bookbinding are not necessarily found in a catalogue. So every tool and every machine in my workshop has its own history, most of them are very old and come from the most diverse regions.
Do you have a favourite tool?: Yes, the tools my master gave to me after I finished my apprenticeship. I have worked with them since the beginning of my career. They mean a lot to me. There is so much time and movement stored in all my tools.
Is book binding compatible with today's consumer trends?: Everything is still made by hand and most of my machines run on muscle power. It's not about high quantities, it's about good results. The output is limited to the creative power of an individual. Some things are special because they take time, maybe that is the silent revolution.
How has the digitalisation affected your craft?: Digitalisation has turned things upside down for sure. However, I don’t think this means farewell to traditional crafts such as bookbinding. The book is a complex cultural asset with a multitude of functions of which only some can be substituted by digital formats.

Theresa Wedemeyer is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2019