Independent Publishing House — Palermo
Independent Publishing House — Palermo
40,00 €
Out of stock
“Tua Sorella” (Your Sister) is a powerful photography book that explores themes of grief, redemption, and memory through art. The project stems from the tragic story of Mary, the author’s sister, who died by suicide at twenty-three following a period of drug addiction. With this book, Veronica Barbato not only tells Mary’s story, but grants her a “second life” by leveraging the language and reach of street art—allowing her to travel the world in a way she never could, and transforming her into an icon.
The photographs are a blend of intense, symbolic imagery featuring vibrant colors, glitter, and excerpts from Mary’s secret diaries. Each shot reflects the hallucination, suffering, and false illusion of drugs, while simultaneously celebrating her life and indomitable spirit. “Tua Sorella” is a tribute to resilience—a visual narrative that transforms pain into art and death into a new form of existence. The book stands as a testament to love and courage, carrying a universal message of hope and redemption.
Edition 02/2024
Text by Maria & Veronica Barbato
Book design by Vittoria Fragapane, Veronica Barbato, Simone Pollastri
89books
128 pages
17 x 24 cm
Softcover
Offest printing
ISBN 979-12-80830-28-9
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.
