Reviving the Renaissance: Steven KH Choi's Exlibris Calendar

Unveiling the Silent Breeze: A Journey into Time, Silence, and Tradition

The Exlibris Calendar, a concept that originated during the Renaissance, was a symbol of aristocracy and the church. As books were not yet mass-produced and were considered expensive, exlibris, or bookplates, were used to identify the owners and emphasize their superior status. Choi's design, inspired by this tradition, aims to reintroduce the beauty of exlibris to a fast-paced world where reading and slowing down are considered luxuries.

"If You Have The Silent Breeze" stands out for its unique properties. The calendar showcases 12 illustrations, each created under the theme of "silence". Using mid-century engraving techniques and Scandinavian style, the illustrations depict the inquiries and expectations of time. The simplicity of the color tone and line art beautifully captures the variability and beauty of time elapse through silence.

The calendar is not just a visual delight but also a tactile experience. It features complicated gold foil printing on the stand, perspective book-shape die-cut with golden edges, and specialized printing effects. A soft touch lamination enhances the touching and reading experience of the calendar. Each illustration is paired with a poem, illustrating the journey of Pi, a character in Choi's "Zu and Pi" illustration series, who reminds people to slow down and restore their pace of living.

The design process was a blend of research and creativity. Choi and his team member, Jasper YY Wai, researched middle ages drawing techniques, symbols, and fables to create a coherent atmosphere for the calendar. The challenge was to combine modern printing technology with these traditional techniques, especially as many special printing effects and handmade procedures are no longer available in Hong Kong.

Despite these challenges, Choi's Exlibris Calendar has received critical acclaim. It was awarded the Golden A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award recognizes marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. Choi's design is indeed a work of art that invites the audience on a journey back into time, encouraging them to rediscover the beauty around them.