Launched in 2011, the second edition of Book Days organized by C/O Berlin took place in Berlin May 25th–26th 2012.
Thirty-three publishers, magazines and artists from Europe and the United States were invited to present their publications over the course of two busy days. There were rows of stands dedicated to selling books (all run by people passionate about their profession), live presentations, books signings by twenty artists, as well as a series of conferences, discussions and seminars with Yannick Bouillis, Bruno Ceschel, Markus Schaden and Jan Wenzel.
This meeting between publishing professionals and visitors was held in conjunction with the opening of new exhibitions at the C/O Berlin: Larry Clark (May 26–August 12) and Rafal Milach (May 26–June 22). The atmosphere was festive, taking place between the C/O buildings and the Postfuhramt courtyard with concerts, drink stands and barbecue—a real summer weekend!
I was in charge of the stand for Éditions Peeping Tom, a French collective dedicated to promoting contemporary artists through the publication of books devoted to emerging artists, and special editions of magazines covering art scenes across the world: Berlin, Mexico City, Beirut.
Many exchanges took place between the presenters (Independent publishers and self-published artists) eager to discuss their thoughts on new photography books. The public took great interest in the diversity of the publications on display and the preferences of these dedicated professionals. The possibilities in publishing are endless and the search for new ways and tools to spread images continues, both online and offline, and the two aren’t necessarily in competition.
Many publishing projects begin on the internet as a blog, and the actual content or simply the concept can then be transferred to paper. Take the project led by the ½ Zine: a few years ago, four French graphic artists and illustrators living in four different countries (Amsterdamn, Berlin, Rennes/Paris and Vienna) created a blog to share and discuss their personal work. Since then, they have published seven print zines and just celebrated their fifth anniversary.
Sometimes the opposite happens, as in the case of 200 Days, 200 Photo Books, an open call for submissions launched by Magazin für Fotografie on the question, “What makes for an exceptional photography book?” Visitors are invited to submit images of an existing photography book and explain why they find it exceptional.
Book Days is an important event, courageously led by C/O Berlin, that pays special attention to the independent publishing sector. They’ve already set a date for next year.
The stands at Book Days 2012 presented publications by
1/2 Zines (Paris), ABC (Berlin), ALBUM – Magazin für Fotografie (Offenbach), Maxwell Anderson (London), Bücher & Hefte (Berlin), Collection Regard (Berlin), doyoureadme? (Berlin), Edition Patrick Frey (Zürich), EJ Major (London), Ex Pose (Berlin), FW: (Rotterdam), Gloria Glitzer (Leipzig), Hatje Cantz (Ostfildern), Jung & Wenig (Berlin), Kehrer Verlag (Heidelberg), Kodoji Press (Baden), Kominek (Berlin), Mörel Books (London), Motto Berlin (Berlin), Peeping Tom (Paris), Peperoni Books (Berlin), POC – Piece of Cake (Europa), Post Editions (Rotterdam), Preston is my Paris (London), Romka Magazine (Leipzig), Anne Schwalbe (Berlin), Andreas Schmidt (Berlin), David Schulz (New York), Self Publish Be Happy (London), Seltmann & Söhne (Lüdenscheid), Spector Books (Leipzig), Vice Versa (Berlin), Ofer Wolberger (New York).
Eva Gravayat
C/O Berlin
International Forum For Visual Dialogues
Oranienburger Straße 35/36
10117 Berlin
Téléphone : +49 030.2844 41 641
[email protected]
Contact : Ann-Christin Bertrand, project manager, co-curator
