About the Artist and Exhibition
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Filipinas Heritage Library proudly presents Secret Lives of Books: Karl Castro, Book Designer, an exhibition which will feature over 70 books designed by three-time National Book Award winner Karl Castro.
Over the course of 12 years, Karl has worked with authors such as Ricky Lee, Rolando Tolentino, and Floy Quintos, spawning award-winning books with a particular inclination to art, literature, history, and culture.
The exhibit, open for free to the public, will focus on bookmaking, production, and book design in the Philippines. It will also feature an Artist Talk (May 25)*, where Karl will be sharing insights on his design process, as well as Book Talks (May 28 & June 4)* featuring speakers like Ricky Lee, Antoinette Jadaone, Jake Verzosa, and other independent authors and editors who will be sharing tales of their own independent book-making processes.
A two-day workshop with Karl himself, The Reader As Designer (May 23 & 30)**, is perfect for students and creative professionals alike who consider themselves passionate about books and design. Participants will be receiving lectures, workshop activities, and take-home assignments.
“Books preserve, and they destroy,” Karl says. “They transport us, they locate us. Each book is an intervention, and a legacy. It is my great honor and pride to say that I help make them.”
Secret Lives of Books: Karl Castro, Book Designer runs from 18 May to 6 June, 2016, 2F Ayala Museum, Makati City. The exhibit is presented by the Filipinas Heritage Library. Co-presented by CGKCreatives, CGKformaprint, Inc., and Silverlens Galleries. Supported by Dannon Clothing, Gallery Deus, Lifestyle Network, National Book Store, Philippine Studies, When In Manila, and Witty Will Save the World, Co.. Special thanks to the Ateneo de Manila University Press and the Philippine Sociological Society. For more about the exhibiting designer, visit www.karlcastro.com.