Whether anchored to notions of criticality, creativity, dissemination or resistance, the act of publishing broaches an endless span of implications, justifications and ideological positions. In the panel discussion Why Publish? we ask publishers of different generations, genres and attitudes just why they do what they do.
Shannon Michael Cane, Printed Matter
Cane is a writer, curator, collector and publisher originally from Melbourne. After publishing and editing the seminal queer art journal THEY SHOOT HOMO’S DON’T THEY? for five years, he moved to New York in 2008 to work at the world’s largest non-profit specialising in artists books, Printed Matter, Inc. Currently working as the Curator of Fairs and Editions he is responsible for staging the NY and LA Art Book Fairs.
Daniel Boetker-Smith, Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive
The Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive is a not-for-profit physical archive of self-published and independent photobooks established to promote the production, dissemination and discussion of photobooks from the Asia-Pacific region.
Helen Frajman, M33
M.33 specialises in contemporary photography. We work collaboratively with artists and designers to produce books which aim for a balance between thoughtful content and excellent design. M.33 has published some of Australia’s most interesting photographic artists including Jane Burton, Darren Sylvester, Jesse Marlow, Janina Green, Drew Pettifer and Peter Milne.
Brad Haylock, Surpllus
Surpllus is an independent publisher of printed matter pertaining to critical and speculative practices across art, design, architecture, writing and curation. Projects include (but are not limited to) artists’ books and zines, exhibition catalogues, and critical writing and theory. Surpllus is conceived as a platform for dialogue and exchange, and as a channel for the initiation or dissemination of unconventional print projects. Surpllus is also intended as an inquiry into contemporary publishing strategies — projects therefore differ in respect of form, print run and mode of distribution.
Jack Harries and Geordie Cargill, The Heavy Collective and Press Books
The Heavy Collective is a Sydney-based online/offline publication championing contemporary photography from around the globe. In partnership with Chris Loutfy from Goodspace Gallery, The Heavy Collective last year opened Press Books, Sydney’s first independent book store for photography and independent artist publications.
Image: Jeremy Deller, I’d rather be Reading, 2013, screenprint on plexi, signed edition of 100, 2014 LAABF Fundraising Edition, Printed Matter Inc., New York, 2013.