The Sculptural Book:
Form, Place, and Presence
October 3-9, 2027
One of the most valued aspects of last year’s retreat was the rich conversation that unfolded around the creative process. Building on that experience, each day will begin with an in-depth discussion exploring the relationship between concept, material, and form. Together we will consider how books can become journeys rather than containers, how structure communicates before content, and how light, shadow, movement, and the extension of the page into space shape the viewer’s experience. Set within the remarkable region of Salento, we will also explore how architecture, history, and place influence perception and inform the stories our books can tell.
Form, Place, Presence
How does the story you wish to tell influence the structure that holds it? Together we will consider books as vessels, landscapes, and immersive experiences, where every structural decision contributes to meaning.
A range of joining techniques—from simple stitched bindings to elegant paper hinges and concealed connections—will be demonstrated, offering participants a flexible vocabulary for creating books that open, unfold, and reveal themselves in unexpected ways.
Join me in Italy!
Together we will consider how books can become journeys rather than containers, how structure communicates before content, and how light, shadow, movement, and the extension of the page into space shape the viewer’s experience. Set within the remarkable region of Salento, we will also explore how architecture, history, and place influence perception and inform the stories our books can tell.
Bring a companion…
Not an artist? You are warmly invited to come along. While retreat participants are working in the studio, non-artist companions will have the opportunity to experience Salento with Piero and Alex as their local guides.
Days might unfold through visits to historic villages and ancient sites, walks through olive groves and the distinctive landscape of southern Puglia, stops with local artisans and producers, or leisurely encounters with the food, wine, and traditions that make this region so memorable. With Piero’s deep knowledge of Italian cuisine and wine, even a simple lunch or café stop can become an invitation into local life.
Salento Region
Martano, Italy
