The Most Beautiful Swiss Books Oct 2009

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SWISS BOOKS – IN LONDON

Café Oto, London

25 – 29 October

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever”. So said the poet John Keats, and this philosophy underpins an annual competition sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture which showcases the “most beautiful Swiss books” published over the preceding year. The books are selected on the basis of their quality in terms of design, typography and overall conception. Innovation and originality are important factors, while the use of material and printing techniques is also considered. The selection is documented by a catalogue.

By collaborating with the Helvetic Centre in 2009, the SCFB facilitated an exhibition of these books in London, following shows at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich, the MUDAC in Lausanne and the Centre Culturel Suisse in Paris. The books were exhibited alongside a special selection of works designed and edited in London, underlining the Helvetic Centre’s role in facilitating cultural exchange.

The show, which attracted numerous visitors in this vibrant part of creative London, received positive feedback. It created a dialogue between the UK and Switzerland’s graphic design scenes and generated a strong interest in book design culture.