exhibition(exposure) where you are is the visual "report" of a competition(help) of ex-libris organised as part of a big(great) event(demonstration) of animation around arts of the Book. This event(demonstration) is called Bial (International Biennial event of Arts of the Book). Let us borrow from Mr Mayor de Saint-Mihiel an extract from its preface of the catalogue of Bial:
« The initiative of BIAL is exemplary, because it associates local will remarkable heritage, associative commitment, passions of various artists, the professionals …
Artists of the whole world (see the name of the country of origin of the received(successful) ex-libris) answered our call(appeal): put in image the notion of ARMISTICE; why? Because Saint-Mihiel was the theatre of certain bloody events of the World War I.
We received 200 a little more than ex-libris. Certainly there were some "non-connected with the topic " but on the whole "they" were great(tremendous). It is not obvious to translate into image the notion of armistice. It is not either obvious to be "convincing" with, for any ground of expression, the small surface than offers dimensions(size) of an ex-libris. The jurors «worked a lot» to bring out(loosen) a first price(prize), a second price(prize) and some more others.
This competition(help) also contained a second section(shutter). One asked, to the schoolchildren (the big(great)) of Saint-Mihiel for him(it), to think and to make a word concrete, 4 letters (for its French designation) of an unexampled importance: PEACE.
The exam(examination) of these images spread(displayed) in their turn over the big(great) tables was very thrilling, reassuring, admiring; the jury had so much evil to decide between the budding(in the blade) artists. Bravo youth; words symbol and allegory still exist in your iconographic vocabulary.
Safe journey in the country of the ex-libris. Treat your eyes and your spirit.
Active Charles Thiébaut Membre of A.F.C.E.L.