Independent Publishing House — Palermo
Independent Publishing House — Palermo
35,00 €
Queen Bees is a long-term photographic project. For 6 years I have followed the Neapolitan transexual community to demonstrate the infinite variety of the beauty concept. Beauty contests have always been the greatest expression of the cry of existence. Show yourself to the world as a unique human being. For the trans community this concept of identity is even more exasperated by a society that is not very responsive. I perceived that their response to this deafness is to show themselves, with all their strength, to remind the world that every human being Is unique. Stefania, the organizer of the beauty contest told me one day “I had to buy the love of my family”. That sentence plunged me into a whirlwind of sensation, I felt helpless and unable to give her all the affection she missed.
All these girls are like bees, flying uncoordinated in an uncertain dance, sting and going from flower to flower to find their place in the world.
1. EDITION 05/2023
Text by Luigi Lista
Book design by Luigi Lista/89books
Pages 72
22,5 x 17 cm
18 color photographs
18 BW photographs
Soft cover + dust jacket
Digital print
ISBN 979-12-80423-41-2
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.
