2016 Melbourne Art Book Fair unveils full program

April 4, 2016

With support from the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, the 2016 Melbourne Art Book Fair is set to feature some of the world’s most creative emerging and established publishers, artists and writers. For three days from Friday 29 April to Sunday May 1, the Fair will feature a dynamic program of free talks, book launches and performances. Now in its second year, the Fair, which drew 16,000 visitors to NGV International last year, presents twice as many publishers and events in 2016.

Bangkok-based artist Wit Pimkanchanapong has designed a translucent canopy comprising thousands of geometric polymer folds which will be suspended from the Great Hall ceiling, under which guests can browse more than 60 stalls showcasing art books, independent zines, limited edition prints and more.

The program launches on Friday 29 April with an all-day International Symposium on the Future of Design for Publishing, followed by a ticketed evening preview which will grant visitors exclusive first access to limited-edition publications as well as music performances, art, pop-up bars and food.

The International Symposium on the Future of Design for Publishing, convened by Brad Haylock and presented in conjunction with the RMIT Design Futures Lab, will investigate new forms of publishing, featuring international guest speakers including Seoul-based Na Kim, one of Korea’s most exciting young graphic designers; David Blamey, a London-based artist and publisher of the independent imprint Open Editions; James Langdon, a UK-based independent graphic designer and director of the artist-run gallery Eastside Projects; and Freek Lomme, publisher of The Netherlands-based imprint Onomatopee. Na Kim and James Langdon will also present public masterclasses on design and publishing during the Fair.

In 2016, the Melbourne Art Book Fair will host special international guests Sternberg Press from Berlin, in their Australian debut. Max Bach, editor of Sternberg Press, will participate in a keynote ‘in conversation’ event with Melbourne writer and academic Justin Clemens on Sunday 1 May.

Other highlight exhibitors include Italian publishing house and art gallery Corraini Edizioni; esteemed German art book publisher Hatje Cantz Verlag; art book publishers Open Editions; and London-based MACK, who are widely regarded as producers of some of the world’s finest contemporary art books. A number of local publishers will also exhibit including Negative Press, M.33 and Particle Books.

 

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