ESSENTIAL EVENT // NY Art Book Fair Takes Over MoMA PS1 This Weekend

 

What do you get when you bring together over 200 booksellers, artists, indie publishers, international presses and antiquarian dealers? You get the NY Art Book Fair, which sets up shop at MoMA PS1 in Queens this Friday, September 30, through Sunday, October 2.

The annual fair was founded by NYC-based art book distributor Printed Matter in 2006 and has steadily grown into a major international event. Last year's attendance was around 16,500, and exhibitors came from 24 countries.

In addition to checking out the many exhibitors, you can also attend the fair's conference, which will feature panel discussions ranging from "Pedagogy: Artists' Books in the Juvenile Justice System"and "Radical Print: Samizdat & the Artists' Book," which will focus on underground printing in the Soviet Union. There are also some fascinating classes and special exhibitions, like "We Are The Writing On The Wall," a showcase and discussion of British Punk fanzines, and "Feminine," an exhibition of zines and artists' books by Japanese women.

Head over to the fair's website for the full list of exhibitors and events. Printed Matter is also selling some limited edition artworks to help keep the fair free and open to the public.

The NY Art Book Fair will be open 11am-7pm Friday through Sunday. There will also be a preview Thursday night from 6-9pm.

-- John Ruscher