Independent Publishing House — Palermo
Independent Publishing House — Palermo
45,00 €
Back in 1996 when analog photography was the norm and technology for printing and making photography books was different I was told that nobody would publish such a “big” or should I say Fat book by an unknown photographer. I archived my negs and continued to make films and more photography. The Fat Man & The Doll remained in the box. When I met Mauro D’Agati and saw the vast extent of his work as a photographer and publisher, therefore I show him this story. A time capsule I don’t want to label because it just feels good. Take a look at Paris in the 90’s, how much the people have changed and the city. Cities with their icons and architecture reverberating their clichés. We are different now but there is a reminder of the sameness we could have forgotten without images. At the time I was involved in street theater and this project is reminiscent of Flam Chen the pyrotechnic group formed with Nadia Hagen in Tucson in ‘94 when I lived there. I went about making the photographs like I was shooting a film. The cast of characters are my friends, their friends, and my family. I asked themto come and play with us. The Fat Man is a pretty convincing guy so nobody could refuse!
1.EDITION 11/2023
Book design by Ihor Kotyay & Keja Ho Kramer
160 pages
20 x 30 cm
122 color photographs
Soft cover
Digital print
ISBN 979-12-80423-54-2
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.
