The NGV will host the inaugural Melbourne Art Book Fair, 1−3 May at NGV International, gathering together some of the most creative Australian and international book designers and publishers in an architecturally designed experience in NGV’s Great Hall. A number of exhibitors will showcase fine art, architecture and design publications as well as limited editions and small-run artist books.
In addition to exhibitor and publisher stalls, the Fair will provide a critical forum for free public talks and discussions, book signings, performances and an international symposium on the future of book design and publishing. Melbourne architect Tobias Horrocks of Fold Theory will create a bespoke design experience in the Great Hall utilising cardboard and featuring a centrepiece suspended from the NGV’s iconic stained-glass ceiling.
The 2015 Melbourne Art Book Fair will be the first of a series of annual art book events developed by the NGV. In 2015, Melbourne Art Book Fair exhibitors include special guests Printed Matter (USA), a seminal New York artist book institution making their Australian debut; Melbourne artist book publisher, bookstore and art space Perimeter Books; independent Melbourne publisher Surpllus; independent Castlemaine publisher 3ply; Sydney publishing house and design studio Rainoff Books and Melbourne print studio Dawn Press. The NGV is also accepting applications from prospective exhibitors via ngvartbookfair.com.
An important voice in artist publishing, Printed Matter circulates over 32,000 publications on behalf of artists and small presses from their Chelsea, NY store. The publisher also curates the New York and Los Angeles art book fairs of which the 2014 New York Art Book Fair held at MoMA PS1 was visited by more than 35,000 people. The appearance of Printed Matter at the Melbourne Art Book Fair has been generously supported by the NGV Friends of The Gallery Library.
Public talks, discussions, book launches, signings and performances will also take place during the Fair alongside the RMIT Design Futures Lab’s International Symposium on the Art of Independent Publishing. Special guest speaker Stuart Bailey, a UK-based designer and editor of independent journal Bulletins of The Serving Library (previously Dot Dot Dot magazine), along with other speakers and delegates, will investigate the contribution that independent publishing can make to the future of the cultural sector.
Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘This inaugural event will lay the foundations for a continued forum around art books and bring together the most influential publishers both locally and internationally. We are delighted to host Printed Matter from the USA for our first event and provide a vital link between Melbourne and other international book fairs and publishers.’
Many artists will launch and sign books, including contemporary artist Jon Campbell, who will launch his book published with Warren Taylor from Melbourne publisher and curatorial program, The Narrows. As the largest museum publisher in the Southern hemisphere, the NGV will also launch their latest publication, John Wolseley: Heartlands and Headwaters, to coincide with the exhibition of the same name.
To celebrate the opening of the Melbourne Art Book Fair, a ticketed preview evening will take place on Friday 1 May 2015 from 6-10pm. The preview is a special opportunity for visitors to preview the event, purchase limited edition publications and engage with publishers and artists before the weekend program commences. The preview will also be a curated experience with live music, food and bars. On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May, the Melbourne Art Book Fair will be open to the public and is free admission.
Melbourne Art Book Fair
Friday 1 May: Ticketed preview event $20, tickets on sale March 27 2015
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May: Free
Supporters
Melbourne Art Book Fair is generously supported by The Trust Company Australia Foundation.
The inclusion of Printed Matter in the event is proudly supported by the NGV Friends of the Gallery Library.
The International Symposium on the Art of Independent Publishing is supported by the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University, through the Design Futures Lab and nonfictionLab research groups, and by the Ian Potter Foundation through its Conference Grants program.
The NGV gratefully acknowledges assistance provided by the Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office in the presentation of the Melbourne Art Book Fair.