Independent Publishing House — Palermo

The book Marzia’s Family is on Kickstarter!

Dear friends and colleagues,

We’ve just launched our first Kickstarter campaign to publish the book Marzia’s Family 2007-2017,  by photographer Mauro D’Agati. Published by 89books, Marzia’s Family 2007-2017 concludes the first ten years of the project, a nonjudgmental systematic investigation of Marzia’s journey from childhood to adolescence, as well as the human condition of an underprivileged family from Palermo. It’s an exciting moment for us and we are happy to share it with you. We hope this initiative will succeed thanks to your generous support and good vibes.
Please visit the project’s page, support and spread the word!

Mauro met six-year-old Marzia while at the beach near Termini Immerse Agglomerato Industriale, ten years ago. Despite being considerably overweight, she was graceful and charming. Captured by Marzia’s sincere and genuine emotions, Mauro D’Agati started following her and the family with his camera, to the point of becoming an adopted member of it.  His lifelong interest in the investigation of the human condition went off well with the family’s acceptance and openness towards him. Mauro was there for the children’s first holy communions and birthday parties, holidays, celebrations, and mournings. This is what the book, consisting of 576 pages, effectively conveys.

“He [Mauro D’Agati] has made a (shockingly undersung and underfunded) career out of lifting the curtain on people in the margins. His main territory is his birthplace, Palermo, and its decaying, passionate underbellies. After studying law, he photographed the city’s local jazz festivals, its notorious crime families, and transvestite hookers. When he left Palermo, he found similarly cloistered communities: the Freemasons of Cuba, the ghettos of Mexico City. His next project is infiltrating Bangkok’s secretive fetish society. As to the common thread between these subjects, “there is something human inside,” says Mauro. “The common thing is the connection with me and these people. Every time, there’s a sort of friendship at the end.”  Rory Satran, www.i-d.vice.com

■ Back to articles

Close
■ Activities

89Books develops long–term publishing and research initiatives 
that support photographers and artists working across contemporary image–making, bookmaking, and independent publishing practices.

Make a book with us

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.

■ Submit your project proposal

→

Folio

Publications
→

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.

■ Submit your project proposal

→

Artists in residence

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.

■ Submit your project proposal

→

Quaderno Palermo

Publications
→

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.

■ Submit your project proposal

→

Withdrawal form

Submit a withdrawal

Your confirmation will be sent to this address Your confirmation will be sent to this address

Great! We’ve received your details.

Close