Books as art, art as books. Celebrating books and bookmaking as a form of artwork, the Bangkok Art Book Fair takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Bangkok CityCity Gallery on Sathon 1.
This is the first time a group of graphic designers and curators will come together to organise a two-day festival to emphasise the importance of books as art objects -- and it comes at a transformative crossroads, where paper books and e-books continue to negotiate for position in readers' consciousness.
Piyakorn Chaiweerapandej and Patchara Laddapan initiated the project chiefly as a showcase for graphic designers, but the event will also put an emphasis on artists' books and their role in art exhibitions. The activities over the next two days focus on talks and idea platforms that bring together creative talents in art and bookmaking circles under the theme of "The Art Book Makers: Examining The Current Local & International Art Book Landscape".
For instance, Chaiporn Intusankul, owner and manager of Parbpim Printing, will share his experiences running a printing facility serving artists and why it remains an important function of the larger culture.
"As art objects and artefacts, art books not only represent the will of those who were involved in realising them but also show the limitations of the time when they were conceived," he said. "Their importance lies in their existence, evidence of what has happened and regarded in the past, in each and every exhibition or event. For artists and viewers alike, they function as a memory-keeper."
Unchalee Anantawa, artist and curator, will talk about the Risograph printing technique. Kornkrit Jianpinidnan will share his experiences making artists' books since 2006. Curator Kittima Chareeprasit will discuss the importance of artists' books and their unique appeal that viewers often overlook, while illustrator Oat Montien will share his view on storytelling, illustration and the history of design. "Books are art," he said. "Regardless of context, the reading experience [together with physical forms of the book] allow us to construct artworks in many dimensions."
The 1st Bangkok Art Book Fair takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Bangkok CityCity Gallery, Sathon 1, from 10am-8pm. To join the sessions, call 083 087 2725, or visit www.facebook.com/BKKABF.
