In anticipation of the forthcoming VOLUME 2015 | Another Art Book Fair, Acting Director Max Schumann is headed to Artspace, Sydney to present a public talk on The Possibilities of the Artists’ Book. The lecture (Artspace Level 2, Seminar Room) will give a historical introduction to the contemporary artists’ book and Printed Matter’s own history.

Schumann will discuss the recent phenomenon of a “renaissance” in artists’ book activity by a new generation of experimental artists’ and artist publishers. In this digital age, with some luminaries proclaiming the death of the book, and with the mainstream publishing industry in an extended period of crisis, we are actually witnessing a resurgence of artists’ publishing activity and public interest. 

To coincide with Printed Matter’s visit, a new longterm Curated Shelf will also be launched at Artspace, presenting a historical survey of artists’ books from the 1970s to the present that are available for sale. The selection will underscore the diversity of themes, styles, forms and approaches that artists have used in engaging the editioned book as their medium.