Independent Publishing House — Palermo
Independent Publishing House — Palermo
35,00 €
Under his belt Berlin, London and NewYork in the 1970-80s, legendary cities in legendary time. Since then, they have been gentrified by relentless capitalism and therefore irretrievably lost. Today in front of his camera Palermo. The city that is stuck somewhere between the past and the future slapping in the mixture of a sticky heat, exhausting laziness and indisputable tradition. Tradition that plays a role of a protective menat or ultima ratio safeguarding the local lifestyle. Miron Zownir faces Palermo, one of the few cities in Italy he set a goal to photograph recently, without prejudice, but with his signature nonconformist attitude.
Ready to discover, he wonders its markets and cemeteries, peeps into stadium, descends to the catacombs. The unbridled riot of color that impresses so much new arrivals is distilled in his photography to black and white austerity. No frills. The usual. In a strange way, such asceticism suits the city; it becomes more compact, less festive, sometimes surprisingly frowning and even grim. In a word, it reveals itself exactly as it really is…
1. EDITION OF 300 09/2024
Text by Kateryna Filyuk
Book Design by 89books
62 pages
20 × 27cm
37 black and white photographs
Softcover
Digital print
ISBN 979-12-80423-48-1
Founded by a photographer, 89books emerged from the desire to elevate the book as an artistic medium and to create opportunities for photographers at the beginning of their careers, as well as for those with little or no previous experience in photobook publishing. Book proposals may be submitted at any time, either as a completed dummy or as an invitation to collaborate on the development of a project from a larger body of photographic material. In the latter case, 89books works closely with the artist on image selection, editing, sequencing, and graphic design in order to shape the work into a carefully conceived publication.
Folio is a special series of 89books dedicated to the production of fast-paced publications distinguished by a cohesive design and a standard format (21 × 28 cm). Each edition is housed in a printed envelope, reinforcing the tactile and collectible nature of the object. With Folio, 89books aims to respond to photographers’ desire to produce limited-edition publications quickly, while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Folio is continuously open to submissions from artists and photographers with fully developed projects seeking to transform their work into a carefully conceived publication.
The 89Books AIR Program (Artists in Residence) supports professionals working in contemporary art, with a particular focus on photography and bookmaking. During the residency, residents may either refine an existing project with the aim of transforming it into a book, or develop new work in the city of Palermo intended to become part of Quaderno Palermo – a collection of impressions of the city and its inhabitants conceived in dialogue with the 89books team. The residency also seeks to question and expand the very notion of the “book,” exploring new possibilities for how photobooks can be made, structured, viewed, and experienced. Residencies typically last two weeks. Shorter or longer stays may be arranged individually. Selected candidates receive a letter of support to assist with applications for external funding covering travel expenses and per diems.
Quaderno Palermo is a special publication series dedicated to photographers’ interpretations of Palermo, a city endlessly photographed and immortalized in cinema. At once visually captivating and deeply neglected, Palermo offers a rich and layered terrain for artistic exploration. Projects may be developed independently or within the framework of the 89books Artist-in-Residence program. The intended outcome is a publication in the Quaderno Palermo series.
