RESTORING AS AN ART W. Van bookbinder pulls the past into the present PAPERBACK has no place on bookshelves of West couver bookbinder Bolenz. book the Van- Tanja THE Bolenz, 25, binds new books by hand and restores antiquarian books with the same care her predecessors did centuries ago. Bolenz pulls the past into the present, combining detailed craft- smanship with the tools, tech- niques and materials used back when bookmaking was an art rather than an exercise in mass production. She came to the craft naturally. Her father is an antiquarian book dealer in West Germany. ‘‘I was always around old books and | found it was nice to repair them,”’ she said. Unsuccessful in her bid to find adequate instruction in Vancouver after the family moved from Munich, Bolenz returned to West Germany to study with an old master bookbinder in Celle, Nor- thern Germany, and worked at a book bindery to learn restoration techniques. New art approach explored SALMUGUNDL IS a program that takes a holistic approach to the arts and is for children age four, five and six. The program is run out of the West Vancouver Family YMCA, 1735 Inglewood Ave., on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., beginning April 7. In Salmugundi, emphasis is put on the exposure and experience of various art forms rather than skill development. Children are en- couraged to share materials, ideas and space, and to be respectful of the property and feelings of others. To foster a general spirit of co- operation several of the art pro- jects will be group works. Classes include music, move- ment, handcrafting and language skills. . Patricia Fraser, the program in- structor, is director of the popular Kid's Stuff program also at the West Vancouver Family YMCA. For further information call 926- 5541. “Usually you have to take an apprenticeship. Studying privately I dearned it alot faster,’* she said. She’s been a freelance book- binder since the fall of "85, work- ing for three major Vancouver an- tiquarian book dealers and doing book restoration work for UBC. The hours she puts into detailed restoration work results in a hand- iwork that is a pleasure to hold and behold. ‘My most joy is when a book is presentable again and can be used,’' Bolenz said. Tools of the restoration trade, which haven't changed for cen- turies, are as varied as those of a medieval surgeon with an assort- ment of knives, needles, forceps, shears and a hypodermic needle and syringe to tackle the painstak- ing work, Bookbinding leathers are exotic and varied with such choices as Oasis niger goatskin, marbled calf, diced Russia and {8th century French Morocco adding. much to the solid, timeless fecl of a book. Bolenz favors a parchment cover when reworking a book with durability in mind, Where leather eventually breaks down, the tough skin can last unscathed for cen- turies. As a bookbinder Bolenz sees books quite differently from the uninitiated. Where most see books as a simple combination of cover and pages, her lexicon breaks a book into a creature complete with it head, spine and tail, Books are stitched, hammered, shaved, glued and pressed back in- fo service by Bolenz's careful hands. Finishing touches such as marbled covers — where paper is treated in a swirling solution of oil colors, water, wallpaper glue, spirit of soap and turpentine — turn cach book into a gem unto itself. Embossed goldleaf lettering adds the Midas touch, She judges her restaration work a success when she leaves no trace of her labor. ‘You try to do it so that you don't see the repair. It’s quite rewarding when that works well,’’ said Bolenz. New leather patches on ancient leathers are covered over with scrapings from the original leather for an invisible mend. Broken cor- ners with usable original leather covering are refurbished with paste forced into the board with a hypodermic needle and syringe. Bolenz also hand makes boxes for books and does calligraphy work, For more information call 926- 1341. Leo Chevalier Limited time * Until April 9 only tlemen 1420 LONSDALE, N.VAN. OPEN SUNDAY NOON - 4 PM 988-7620 AS Wedresdas. Murch ta) asx Norti Stare News Prepare Easter treats PAGE 56 ese, NEWS photo Terry Peters WEST VANCOUVER bookbinder Tanja Bolenz puts the finishing touches (o a book she has just refinished. Her job description is as rare as many of the books she reworks. Bolenz studied the craft in West Ger- many and now applies it locally. ALL NEW SPRING ARRIVALS ... DESIGNER MAKES Offer ends April 2/88 HURRY FOR BEST - SELECTION... Lyn Fatey Cen Re 985-7615