Rare and Wonderful
A weekend full of old books and space-age exhibits
By Carl Kozlowski 02/09/2012
Whether seeking a signed first-edition work by Woody Allen, handwritten lyrics by Bob Dylan or the chance to buy a leaf of the historic Gutenberg Bible, rare book lovers have plenty to be excited about this weekend,.
For the first time in its 45-year history, the California International Antiquarian Book Fair is bringing more than 200 classic-book vendors — along with their books, autographs, manuscripts, prints and more — to the Crown City, setting up shop this weekend at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Meanwhile, art lovers seeking a unique array of space and universe-inspired works can attend the opening reception of the “Chasm of the Supernova” exhibition, taking place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Fifteen Los Angeles-based artists will show their work in the exhibit running through March 15, working with the themes of harmony and chaos that rule the universe.
The book fair has long rotated annually between Southern and Northern California, but its Los Angeles locations were always on the West Side. But according to Michael R. Thompson, Book Fair Chair to the Southern California Chapter of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, Pasadena offers plenty of alluring qualities for the event.
“The Pasadena Convention Center is a beautiful and spacious venue where more than 200 rare booksellers from around the world can display their collections in a single space,” says Thompson, who notes that there will be plenty of books from the past five centuries, stretching all the way back to medieval illuminated manuscripts. “Pasadena also gives our visiting booksellers and collectors so many other nearby sites to enjoy, such as the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, Old Pasadena and the Norton Simon Museum.”
Not to be outdone, “Supernova” will be divided into two themes: the Explosive and the Speculative. Artists who are more restrained and refined in their painting and sculpting styles are featured in the Speculative wing, and more dramatic artists with broader gestures will be spotlighted as Explosive.
“We really have the two ends of the spectrum here,” says Laura Merchetti, director of education for the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. “Through these works, viewers can see how an artwork evolves from the stroke of paint to a fully informed, imaginative work.”
The California International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Admission is $25 for all three days, or $15 per a day on Saturday and Sunday. Call (800) 454-6401 or visit labookfair.com.
“The Chasm of the Supernova” opening reception takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Call (3232) 226-1617 or write info@cfaer.org.
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