The PhotoBook Social Club is an association dedicated to the promotion of independent photo publishing. At the invitation of the Circulation(s) festival, the PhotoBook Social Club is offering a salon dedicated to the photo book during the weekend of 21st, 22nd and 23rd May. For this occasion we met Clémentine de la Féronnière, André Frère and Eric Karsenty, at the beginning of the project.
For what reasons did you found the PhotoBook Social Club?
The idea is to get together to exchange information and bring together our energies. To be stronger, more important, and more visible. To be able to do more with proposals in terms of events, of festivals and set up activities giving greater visibility to photo books, particularly abroad. It’s also our idea to offer the authors to possibility of meeting us under the best conditions.
What needs drove the foundation?
The PhotoBook Social Club intends to promote, support and protect independent photo publishing. The good days relative to publishing mustn’t hide the fragile economic reality of the sector whose spirit of innovation and diversity must be supported. Independent photo publishing champions a special relationship with authors, an autonomy of distribution, a more intimate connection with bookshops and readers, and a constant search for originality and high standards.
Who are the founding members and what are their objectives?
In the beginning, the founding members came from the distribution house Pollen which had regrouped with a photo centre at its heart. The idea was to go further than this simple regrouping and to open up quickly to other publishers, both French and foreign. To defend our independence, it’s also necessary to build bridges with our foreign colleagues and share experiences and points of view with them.
How do you become a member of the PhotoBook Social Club?
All you have to do is send a request to the president of the association, to publish a minimum of three books a year, and to devote at least 90% of your production to photo books. The CA then examines the requests once a year and a commission invites the candidates for an interview in order to look at their catalogues and their editorial projects. You can also become a member by being a benefactor.
INFORMATION
Friday, May 20th // 12pm – 7pm // Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd // 11am – 7pm //
CENTQUATRE-Paris
5 rue Curial
75019 Paris
France
Écuries Nord, Free Access
http://www.facebook.com/photobooksocialclub
Twitter : @SoPhotobook
