A trip to the small publishers fair

It was expected that I attend the small publishers' fair in London this week as part of my course.

I duly attended ( and enjoyed the experience).

It was a wet, cold and dark day. My anorak leaked.

I was thinking about words as I walked there.

Colonic irrigation ( hydrotherapy by another name)  appeared before my eyes. I moved on swiftly.

You can see my short journey in this short video.

 

I was expecting a large and glamorous affair. 

But no. This was the world of small publishing; men with beards and trestle tables in Conway Hall. A crowded and friendly event. Nothing fancy. Not even a cup of tea.

There were about 48 publishers represented in all. Some sharing a table, others more luxuriant and spacious. All the books could be handled, and all the publishers were delighted to disucss their work.

First stop Essence Press

I had already discovered the work of Julie Johnstone in my explorations online. Her understated minimalist approach is exactly the feel/look that I  aspire to . Reminiscent of Agnes Martin and Rothko.  

Julie describes her work as 'concerning perception, distillation, and contemplative experience'

I had been contemplating this week what silence looks like; 

Julie has already considered this....

Julie Johnstone- on silence

 It was encouraging to learn that she makes her work at home on an inkjet printer.

Next up was Guy Bigland whose work with words amused me greatly. Playing with text, lists and ideas about four letter words . 

These were all very clever but I found myself wondering how often one might want to read them. The sort of content that suits a coffee table or loo, for quick browsing and then passing on, or for inspiring ideas for one's own projects. I was more impressed with his wealth of ideas than desirous to own his work. They emphasise the banal, which can be entertaining in itself.

text based works by Guy Bigland.

 Two artists that I spoke to used thread in unconventional ways in their work.

Geraldine Dubois uses machine stitching to join pages of her concertina books

 

and Batool Showghi uses thread to connect pages in her concertina books as  a representation of boundaries, in a similar way to the work of feminist artists, Sotau and Eisennegger,  currently showing at The Photographers Gallery.

 

Showghi's work explores her cultural heritage, memory, identity and loss. She wants to examine the physical limits that women can experience with regard to cultural and religious boundaries.

 There were many landscape based books, often in concerntina form that drew my attention. Delicate papers requiring a light touch in some cases. 

Clever use of text to create line drawings ; something that I have been experimenting with.

One word books - sold out.

Small Publishers' Fair 2016

And a collection of white goods in 'Still Works' .

Brilliant title.

And finally the most overworked book that I have ever come across, on the subject of the human intestine.

I think they need a quick irrigation.

And I needed some fresh air.

free money for artists ( well almost) - its DACS Payback time again

Has your work been used in a book, magazine or on TV?

If so, then with a little bit of effort on your part, you will be able to apply for Artists' Payback

Payback covers secondary uses of your images, such as photocopying, and last year the average payment was £258. 

I claim once a year, and get a few pounds for very little effort as I have had work published in LIP magazine and others. 

So what are you waiting for?!

All you need to know are the ISBN or ISSN numbers of the works that you are published in. 

The money is sitting there waiting for you to claim your share.

All that it will cost you is a few moments of your time.

And if you don't bother, then the rest of us will get more!

making books on a rainy Sunday afternoon

Still Waters © Caroline Fraser 2010

I finally got around to making a record of a holiday taken in New Zealand in November 2010. Better late than never.

This book is for my other half. My next task is to make another book with all the photos that my other half doesn't really rate as holiday snaps........... something a bit more arty, without text, and definitely without people.

I agonised over one or two images; torn between creating a holiday album and something more aesthetic....


........this one is definitely not suitable for today's book ........ ( but I put it in anyway)

Okarito©caroline fraser 2010

This one maybe............. but not enough blue sky or people

Okarito also; ©caroline fraser

I was going to show you the book, but in order to preserve the anonymity of those who wish to keep it, I will have to abstain.

You'll have to wait for the arty one that is people free.

Sorry!

Art books; how precious should we be?

winter rain

Part of the symposium at Camberwell Space on self published books focussed on what constitutes an art book. A certain amount of scorn was thrown upon mass produced self published books such as those from Blurb or Ubyu by Chrystel LeBas, one of the participants in the exhibition "Elusive". Chrystel has produced her own books, working with a printer who she trusts and sourcing her own paper. Coming from a background of using letterpress and as a passionate collector of books, she did not seem to worry whether or not she recouped the costs of self publishing. She is lucky enough to know a graphic designer who has helped her with typeface and design, and has found someone to write an accompanying text. This is a luxury that I do not have. But having seen the difference between my attempt at an "art book" with Blurb, and the touch and quality of hand bound books, I understand where she is coming from. I do, however, think  that she is choosing to ignore publishes such as Steidl and Taschen and 21st editions http://www.21stphotography.com/, who have a reputation for producing beautiful limited edition volumes that become collector's items.
It was generally agreed that  art books come in limited editions, are hand made, and are produced by the artist. it seems that only a very few publishers are working with photographers in a way that satisfies these criteria. Also up for discussion from the editor of "Self publish be happy" http://www.selfpublishbehappy.com/, Bruno Chessel, was the view that art books might include "zines" and pamphlets, in the manner of those originally produced for political reasons. The over riding aim should be a passion to get your work seen by other people, in what ever format you feel appropriate, and if your funds are limited then a low budget option is perfectly acceptable.