On bookbinding, questioning Plato and poiesis.

Written by Anne Ayers Koch. Find more of Anne's writing on Substack.

Edited and produced by Geoff Koch and Amanda Barranco

EXCERPT

But measuring and sewing the bindings of my simple books, I knew I was both working and thinking. Buried in the Greek language is a word, “poiesis.” It is the same word used to describe the work of both mechanic and poet. In modern times, we are accustomed to thinking of the inspired artist and the disciplined worker as opposite human types who have nothing in common. But they are more alike than different. Despite what Greeks thought, their language didn’t make any distinction between the work of artists or builders, architects or philosophers. A single word described their otherwise disconnected efforts. Different manifestations. One spirit. Poiesis became a cornerstone of my philosophy for teaching and for life—think and do. Either alone is insufficient.

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