The Rollbuch is an object with roughly the size of an ordinary book. Inside, there is a long paper band wound onto two spools, which can be moved in either direction. Printed content thereby passes smoothly in front of the viewer, without breaks and without ever turning a page. The motion of the paper, together with the "infinite" format yield a reading experience unknown from common books or even antique scrolls.
A Rollbuch may be read from left to the right, or also vertically; it may contain text where everything but a few lines remains hidden. At times it will apply optical illusions to intensify the viewer's sense of motion... – subtle effects we are constantly trying to refine.
Since 2012, we have constantly been publishing small editions with the works of different artists and illustrators. For easy exchangeability of the content, the paper has a standard width, and the books have a sliding lid underneath, – which means, newly published content can be installed into an existing roll book.
This does not apply to designated artist's editions; these are strictly limited and never reprinted after they have sold out. At this time, several editions are in preparation; information on these you will find ahead of time on our facebook page.
In May 2013, a three-day Rollbuch workshop was held at the "PROJEKTOR kultureller Raum | teiler" in Hamburg. Ten illustrators were each challenged by ten meters of blank paper. The participants were provided with drawing materials, and enjoyed a unique location and setting. It was interesting to see the different approaches to the seemingly "endless" length of the format, and how eventually the product itself, and the motion of the content were dealt with conceptionally. After the workshop, the banners as such were exhibited, and the public voted for the ideas and executions that best reflected the involvement with the medium. Because of its joyful and inspiring atmosphere, more Rollbuch workshops shall take place in the future, currently being planned for Berlin and Bern/Switzerland.
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Ann-Christin Müller is a designer/illustrator. Since her diploma at Miami Ad School in 2009 she has been employed at various agencies in Hamburg and Berlin. At the moment she works as a senior digital art director.
Paul Lichtenegger is a freelance product designer/photographer. Currently lives in Klagenfurt/Austria; favours art over usefulness.The two of them have been developing the "Rollbuch" since 2010; they first introduced it to the public at "About" independent book fair in Hamburg 2012.