The nonprofit Printed Matter is launching the Virtual Art Book Fair (PMVABF) this Wednesday, live from February 24—February 28 in support of artists, independent publishers, galleries, and rare booksellers. In the place of Printed Matter’s longstanding in-person events in Los Angeles and New York, the new digital fair will feature the largest number of presenters yet—over 400—alongside an event schedule complete with discussions, workshops, and more.
Video still from welcome video with PMVABF exhibitor Water with Water (Doha, Qatar); courtesy of Printed Matter.
PMVABF will kick off on Wednesday with a celebratory day of musical performances and activities (including names like Deli Girls, Total Freedom, F00d C0rps, and Mister Vacation) along with a preview of Cory Arcangel’s latest special edition, which was conceived especially for the PMVABF. With free registration through Printed Matter’s website, an interactive platform will allow fairgoers to access happenings and browse exhibitors’ pages, including first-timers like Dongola Limited Editions, The Black School, LIFTA Volumes, Red Letter Distro, Kwago, and Chimurenga.
Fairgoers will have access to programming sectors like The Stage, featuring musician performances by names like Papi Juice collective and Laraaji; The Classroom, where names like Dodie Bellamy and Fia Backstrom will open a space for dialogue surrounding contemporary publishing; and Friendly Fire, which will focus on ideas of resistance and injustice in publishing practices, including Press Press and Lu Zhang and Temporary Services / Half Letter Press.
Video still from studio visit with PMVABF exhibitor Perimeter Editions (Melbourne, Australia); courtesy of Printed Matter.
Other events include exhibitor-led talks, studio visits, and meet and greets, programming within the 2021 iteration of the Contemporary Artists’ Books Conference, and guided walkthroughs of the fair held by contemporary art curators. The purchase of raffle tickets will also see drawings for items like a signed copy of Virgil Abloh’s Nike. ICONS and a private virtual studio visit with Paul Mpagi Sepuya.
Video still from studio visit with PMVABF exhibitor Kris Graves of Kris Graves Projects (New York, NY); courtesy of Printed Matter.
