Melbourne Art Book Fair: International Symposium on The Art of Independent Publishing

The first International Symposium on the Art of Independent Publishing will investigate the contribution that independent publishing can make to the future of the cultural sector.

The symposium will consider both the significance of publishing for artistic practice and the significance of publishing as practice. The symposium will cover such themes as: the importance of independent publishing as a platform for art criticism and discourse; the role of graphic design in the dissemination of independent publishing projects; and the impact of contemporary hybrid practices that cross the traditional boundaries of art, design and publishing.

Speakers include: Stuart Bailey, a UK-based designer who is one half of the duo Dexter Sinister and co-editor of the bi-annual publication Bulletins of The Serving Library; Helen Hughes, Melbourne-based co-founder and co-editor of the contemporary art journal Discipline; Ziga Testen, a Melbourne-based designer who has worked on numerous books for artists, arts institutions and independent publishers; and Eleanor Vonne Brown of UK publishing project space X Marks the Bökship. Individual speakers’ papers will be followed by a panel discussion that will draw the audience into the conversation.

The symposium is convened by Brad Haylock and is presented by the RMIT Design Futures Lab with the support of the Ian Potter Foundation and RMIT School of Media & Communication, as a part of the inaugural Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria.

2pm–4pm
Ground Level, Clemenger BBDO Auditorium
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road,
Melbourne, Australia