The Library Project / Eleftheria Tseliou Gallery
Scenography by Joy Herro / The Great Design Disaster in collaboration with METEA
- Sir, I told the captain, thank you for placing the library at my disposal. There are scientific treasures here, and I’ll take advantage of them.
Jules Verne, ‘Twenty thousand leagues under the sea’, translated by F. P. Walter. Paris, France: Hetzel
Eleftheria Tseliou: ‘The Library Project’ follows the exhibition of artists’ books that took place at the Eleftheria Tseliou Gallery in 2017, under the title ‘The Library Show’, where the gallery space was turned into a library with a reading section, where one could see, flip through or read, more than two hundred books by contemporary artists and historical editions. Moving out of the gallery space and into Villa Borsani during Alcova, we revisit the idea of a library solely dedicated to artists’ books, only this time with a commitment to exploring the historical relationship between architecture and design in shaping environments, where art can be received and read. For this, we invited Joy Herro and The Great Design Disaster to a collaboration, and through their eyes to another understanding of what a library experience can be.
Our library will be presenting 21 works by Antonakis, Christian Boltanski, Ulisses Carrion, Richard Hamilton / Marcel Duchamp, Maria Efstathiou, Iannis Ganas, Vassilis Gerodimos, George Hadjimichalis, Ito Jakuchu, Apostolos Karastergiou, William Kentridge, Ilias Koen, Panagiotis Koulouras, Rena Papaspyrou, Tom Phillips, Gerhard Richter, Dieter Roth, David Sampethai, Kyrillos Sarris.
Joy Herro: Art and design come together to embody the idea of design at the service of an art exhibition. Naturally, I thought of a reading table, but for some reason, a tray kept recurring in my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of books being served rather than simply displayed—like an invitation, a gesture of generosity, or perhaps the visual equivalent of an elegant dinner party for the mind.
And so, the concept of the tray-reading tables was born: part art, part design, and all about nourishing thought and vision, with a playful touch. Placing these books on trays—traditional symbols of hospitality and care—elevates them as offerings: a generous gesture from Eleftheria and the artists themselves.
Unlike a painting, which hangs on a wall and demands attention from afar, a book fosters an intimate, one-on-one connection between the artist and the reader. There’s a unique joy in holding a book, especially one made by an artist. It’s not merely something to look at but something to touch and explore—a tactile connection to the artist’s vision, transforming the experience into something deeply personal.
The display consists of minimalist Plexiglas trays, produced in collaboration with Metea, an Italian company renowned for its expertise in working with this material. The trays are intentionally simple and transparent, allowing the books to appear as if they are floating in space. This visual lightness places the focus entirely on the books themselves, reinforcing their role as the true protagonists of the exhibition.
About METEA
Metea, an Italian company specializing in Plexiglas craftsmanship, has collaborated with renowned artists and designers to create innovative works. Notable partnerships include Andrea Branzi, Zaha Hadid, Toyo Ito, Giulio Cappellini, and Mattia Bonetti. Their expertise in transparency and form has been instrumental in shaping the trays designed by Joy Herro for The Library Project, ensuring that the design remains both functional and poetic, seamlessly integrating into the exhibition’s vision.
The Library Project / Villa Borsani B16 / Alcova Milano / 7 – 13 April 2025