ArtsLibris celebrates its 14th edition as a reference fair for self-publishing, the artist book and the photo book

On June 9, the 14th edition of ArtsLibris, International Artist Publications Fair, was presented to the press, which will be held at the Sant Antoni Market until June 11. It is the great meeting of artist publications, photo books, contemporary thought and architecture, self-publishing and digital publications. Born on the initiative of gallerist and publisher Rocío Santa Cruz, it is the reference fair in Europe and Latin America, the meeting point to learn about the latest developments and for art lovers who want to add to their collection the best publications of artist

"ArtsLibris is a way of seeing contemporary art through publications, and a starting point to reflect on where the world of books is going", explained Santa Cruz. And he added: "They have a place from the simplest zines, such as El Naufraguito, to luxurious editions such as Plensa's book on the scenography he made for Macbeth at the Gran Teatre del Liceu".

Marta Gustà, director of the Visual Arts area of the ICEC, explained that "we have supported ArtsLibris since the first edition because it has great value for all agents in the sector, putting artists in contact with museums, art centers and collectors. In addition, we like it to be done here because we recover the idea of the Roman forum, a place of exchange of goods, products and ideas, the place where things happened."

For Manuel Cirauqui, director of einaidea, "we try to generate transversal projects from the university level, but infecting other entities in order to generate synergies between artists, designers and publishers." einaidea is the organization that organizes the Líbrica seminar, which brings together artists, editors and curators for two days to discuss the book. Cirauqui explains: "At the seminar we wanted to talk about many topics about the future of the book: the lack of supplies, the status of books, the formats, what place it occupies in culture and in the artistic world".

Finally, Oriol Vilanova, the artist invited this year to make the AL Series book that ArtsLibris publishes each edition, wanted to explain that for him the assignment could not have been more appropriate, because he is a regular at the Sant Antoni market from the age of 18 or 19. His book, "Markets, Mercaders, Merchandise", brings together postcards from all over the world about all kinds of markets.

A fair full of discoveries

The fair, with free access, will have a hundred exhibitors, among which stand out Ojos de Buey, specialized in Spanish documentary photography; El Naufraguito, the oldest fanzine in Spain; the Coruña-based Bartlebooth, an edition and research platform present at the 2018 and 2021 Venice Biennales; Dalpine, Madrid publisher that encourages collaboration between photographers, artists and designers; or the Écho 119 gallery in Paris, which will present a selection of Japanese photobooks. Also on display at the fair will be Los Cuscusianos artist books for children, the latest editions of RM, one of the most prestigious independent publishers dedicated to photography and art.

In addition to the exhibition part in which publishing houses, museum and cultural institutions and creators show their catalogs, ArtsLibris, International Artist Publications Fair, also has a program of activities in which presentations, debates and talks with the authors themselves. In this edition, for example, Joan Fontcuberta will participate with HeghDI' vem ghaH, tu'lu' Dinosaur, a book about dinosaurs written in Klingon, published by Dalpine (2023); Manel Armengol will present, respectively, Pintadas (1976-1979), a collection of photographs about the transition published by Ojos de Buey (2023) and Santi Moix, together with Natalia Chocarro, will talk about the publication of Moix's anthology at the Fundación Vila Casas

Likewise, at ArtsLibris, the International Artist Publications Fair, there is space for workshops, one on screen printing, organized by the Eina design school, and another on bookbinding, by the Llotja; as well as two exhibitions, one of which, War at a distance, curated by Natasha Christa, brings together twenty photo books whose theme revolves around war conflicts.

Prizes for the best publications

At ArtsLibris, International Artist Publications Fair, several prizes are also awarded to the best publications. On the one hand, the ArtsLibris/Banc Sabadell Award, which consists of the acquisition and incorporation into the Banco Sabadell art collection, values those publications that propose an original connection between ideas and visual content, work with formats innovative editions and offer innovative aesthetic and conceptual content.

The jury is made up of Isabel Bordes, director of the Library and Communication Center of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía; Antonio Alcaraz, director of the Drawing Department of the Polytechnic University of Valencia; Moritz Küng, exhibition curator; Oriol Vilanova, artist; and Pepe Font de Mora, director of the Foto Colectania Foundation. The Eloi Gimeno Award, organized in collaboration with the Foto Colectania Foundation and the Association of Friends of Eloi Gimeno, values those recently published photobooks that constitute innovative, risky proposals and that demonstrate creative freedom, empowering small publishers and self-published projects. In this case, the jury is made up of the photographers Manuel Outumuro and Tanit Plana and the artist Roc Herms. As a novelty this year, the ArtsByblio Prize will also be awarded as part of the fair, convened by Edicions E2 in collaboration with the Llotja school. School of Art and Design. This is a recognition that aims to support students from art schools or universities who work on the artist's book. Four prizes are awarded, three of which are individual, and 15 books selected from all those who participate will be exhibited at the fair.