Printing Plant Art Book Fair

About

In conjunction with Amsterdam Art Weekend, 23-25 November 2018, Looiersgracht 60 is organising an intimate 3-day art-book fair for like-minded, independent publishers. Artistic print culture has a rich narrative in Amsterdam’s history, one that is often overlooked. As there is currently no book fair focusing on art books in Amsterdam, we would like to take this opportunity to offer a new platform for the progressive publications that artists and publishing houses are producing to be enjoyed by the wider public.

Publishing has assumed an increasingly central position within artistic practices. Yet it has become more difficult to produce, distribute and present special art books in recent years - often due to a lack of funding. Many of the beautiful titles that have been published are only on view in the shops of a few motivated and specialist booksellers, museum bookshops and galleries. Printing Plant will present a remarkable selection of artist editions, multiples, art catalogues, books, monographs, periodicals and zines that are generally unavailable in bookstores. Filling 750 square meters of exhibition space, the fair will invite visitors to learn more about the world of independent art book publishing from the artists and makers who will be showcasing their works throughout the weekend.

The unique housing, and history, of Looiersgracht 60 will be utilised to correspond to the etiquette of the fair. Prior to its current use as a non-profit exhibition centre for art, design and architecture, Looiersgracht 60 was home to a cardboard and paper factory that also printed pamphlets, posters and cards for artists and museums. The building thus has a long-standing connection with the artist community of Amsterdam, making it an ideal location for Printing Plant. Considering the building’s past, it felt fitting to reiterate its previous function to conceive a new platform for printed matter. 

Printing Plant Art Book Fair is initiated by Looiersgracht 60 Amsterdam. The fair is part of the official programme of Amsterdam Art Weekend 2018.