17 things to salivate over at this year’s New York Art Book Fair
The annual, weekend-long celebration of print media is nice on the eyes, but a little overwhelming. We’re here to help.
I went to the New Year Art Book Fair for the first time this year, and I freaking loved it. It was a massive, dazzling display of talent from all over the world. This year, it spans two outside tents and three floors of incredible, radical stuff from hundreds of renowned, independent and DIY presses from all over the world. The NYABF is the place to go to support small publishers, find a new print for your room, pick up some unique swag, and buy a small gift for a friend. To get you started, my co-worker Nazuk and I pulled 17 of the coolest things we found this year, from a 3-D printed Library of Congress USB containing 3,000 book titles, to a headache-healing solution, to a self-defense for women poster.
1. This colorful table of art exploring Chinese sexuality and identity
Find it: at the Little Mountain Press table in the zine tent.
2. This insane book of Mr. Peanut drawings by the guy who ran as Mr. Peanut in Vancouver's 1974 mayoral election.
Find it: at the New Documents Los Angeles table on the first floor.
3. A soothing cassette by 6 artists around the world filled with music they'd listen to while doing nothing.
Find it: at the Slow Editions table in the zine tent.
4. A 3-D printed model of the Library of Congress with a secret USB holding 3,000 book titles.
Find it: at the SVA NYC table in room S.
5. An insightful book filled with the first photographs taken by digital cameras around the world
Find it: at Pogo Books table in the Focus: Photography 1 room.
6. RiRi as the Mona Lisa, and a way to do cool stuff on the computer for free.99
Find it: at the 8-Ball table in the Friendly Fire room.
7. Sick sculptural 3-D printed objects
Find it: at the SVA NYC table in room S.
8. A smacked Furby t-shirt that is ticklingly on point
Find it: at the Art Baby Girl table in the Zine Tent.
9. A stunning photo book capturing the multitude of happenings at soccer fields across Argentina
Find it: the Ministerio de Cultura de la República / Point of Contact table on the second floor.
10. The zine catalog featuring almost all the zines featured in the History of Zines exhibit!
Find it: at the A History of Zines exhibit on the first floor.
11. The newest edition of this groundbreaking political cartoon magazine started in the '70s by some badass illustrators
Find it: at the World War 3 Illustrated table in the Friendly Fires room.
12. Some #heartart made by peeps expressing their hearts through art
Find it: at the Temporary Services / Half Letter Press table in the Friendly Fire room.
13. Brigada Pot's natural, traditional headache-healing solution made in Puerto Rico
Find it: at Embajada Press's table on the first floor.
14. A very wavy and vitamin efficiency-positive sweatshirt
Find it: at the Extra Vitamins table in the zine tent.
15. This cutie patootie and extra informative internet history of the past NBA season
Find it: at the Art Baby Girl table in the zine tent.
16. An essential fold-out poster of self-defense for women made in Chile
Find it: at the Microeditorial Amistad table in the zine tent.
17. A post-humous celebration of deep listening by students of the late, great, legendary composer and teacher Pauline Oliveros
Find it: at the Temporary Services / Half Letter Press table in the Friendly Fire room.