Last night I had the great pleasure of going to an amazing art opening at the Ex-Collegio. The event, which included a lecture and live music, celebrated the completion of a fully illustrated, handprinted artist book featuring Jose Ruben Romero's collection of poems: "Tacambaro." A collaboration between Juan Pascoe and Artemio Rodriguez, the book contains 72 black & white blockprints by Rodriguez. The text was typeset by hand (letter by letter); each page was beautifully composed, and the final books were printed on handmade paper with a 1838 R. Hoe Washington Press by Pascoe's Taller Martin Pescador. It's a handsome book and a remarkable achievement. The exhibition fills two galleries, including a nice display of Romero's original 1922 book, Rodriguez's tools, and a few of his carved blocks. It was great to meet the illustrator/printmaker, and to reconnect with master printer, Juan Pascoe, who I met a few years ago at his home in Tacambaro. Last night I reminded him that the last time we saw one another, he said: "Hey Dan, come back sometime and let's print together." So now it looks like I'm going to Tacambaro next weekend…where I hope to set a few words and print them in his taller (shop). It was an inspiring night, and now I'm the proud owner of a first edition, signed copy of "Tacambaro." I can't wait to share it with my friends, family, and students back home.
