Open Book#2

Publishing cultures in art education is the theme of the Readers & Publishers: Open Book#2 presented during Printing Plant Amsterdam Art Book Fair 2019.

You can download Open Book#2 here.

The publication collectively explores a set of questions around this theme. These questions were proposed by a selection of educators, curators, writers and artists across different countries. These set of questions were then shared with a selection of publishers from the Readers & Publishers’ community of independent publishers working with relevant themes. They offered their responses from their different perspectives and expertise. The outcome is a resource for anyone interested in the potential and challenges that a publishing practice can entail within art education. Questions explored at Open Book#2:

_Are you a feminist publisher? Publishing and patriarchy, where do you stand? Proposed by Delphine Bedel.

_What is your ideal model of an interdisciplinary art education project/module/course, that would enable artistic platforms and publishing worlds to work together? Proposed by Tracy Mackenna & Edwin Janssen.

_How can publishing, whether independent or as artistic practice, evade the conventions of authorial voice and encourage a collective pedagogical praxis? Proposed by Sophia Y. Hao.

_How might we situate our editorial autonomy when publishing from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)? Orientation and leaning in/leaning out: If we are to publish and distribute small press editions from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), how might we situate our editorial ethics and autonomy within institutional strategy and governance? Proposed by Laura Edbrook.

_Can a publications-in-process approach erode the distinctions between research/writing and publishing in art education? Beyond the book as object, what would it mean if we start to focus more on books as iterative forms of publishing, as publications-in-process? How will this start to erode the clear distinctions between research/writing and publishing that we have institutionalised, amongst others in art education? Proposed by Janneke Adema & Kaja Marczewska.

_ Could collective artistic publishing practices or publications such as artist books be key to stimulating changes in the paradigm between art and education that exists outside the museum context? And could we include more personal and subjective narratives as part of art education to encourage abstract thinking by the students? Proposed by Fito Conesa.

_ How do you imagine the role of independent publishers in shaping the future of publishing in art education? Proposed by Readers & Publishers.

With contributions by:
The Brown Orient, Goswell Road, Jap Sam Books, Jordan, Jordan Édition, Lost Alphabet, MOMENTUM Magazine, Poetic Pastel Press, Printing Plant Amsterdam Art Book FairThe Sandberg Series.

The Open Book#2 was on display during Printing Plant 2019 and is available online to read. You can download Open Book#2 here.

Thanks to all the contributors and Printing Plant Amsterdam Art Book Fair to make this publication and resource possible.