The seventh annual THE TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR, Asia's largest art book fair, is upon us again.
The fair brings together over 300 art publishers, galleries, bookstores, and artists from Japan and abroad. In addition to presentations at their respective booths, the fair also features a variety of events throughout the day, including art book-related exhibitions, talks, screenings, book signings, and talks with exhibitors and guests.
In the opening talk, titled "ZINES OF OUR TIMES - Art Begins with Art Books," Nakako Hayashi, founder of here and there, Benjamin Sommerhalder, president of Nieves, and Futoshi Miyagi, artist and TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR manager, will explore the appeal, function, and potential of the zine, an important medium for this fair, as well as the diverse forms of publishing expression, including artist books. The fair will also feature a special exhibition and lecture by graphic designer Irma Bohm, one of the world's most acclaimed designers, whose works are permanently housed in museums such as New York's MoMA and Paris's Centre Pompidou. The lecture will explore her design concepts and creative process, drawing on her books to date. It's a rare opportunity to hear from her about how her ideas take shape, including her interactions with clients and on-site experiences. Also appearing at the book signing will be photographer Valerie Phillips, who will be celebrating the release of "You Left Your Ring on the Floor of My Bedroom," a photograph she took in London on the night she first met her muse, Sara Cummings, whose boyish, medieval charm captivates the world. Finally, Futoshi Miyagi, whose first artist book, "New Message," will be released in a new, redesigned edition to coincide with the fair, bringing together a stellar lineup unique to this fair.

Starting this year, the event will focus on one country as a "guest country," offering a comprehensive look at that country's publishing scene and culture. The first exhibition will be held in Switzerland, a country with a rich art publishing culture. Various Swiss-based publishers will exhibit, and a special exhibition will feature the award-winning works and catalogues of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SWISS BOOKS 2014. Various events will be held during the event, including talks and workshops by visiting publishers, authors, and researchers. These three special days will showcase the current state of the ever-evolving art book industry.

The main sponsor of this event is COS, which opened its first Japanese shop in Omotesando last year. The COS booth will feature a booklet highlighting five pieces of architecture, inspired by Japanese origami.


【Event Information】
THE TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR
Date: September 19th - September 21st
Venue: Kyoto University of Art and Design/Tohoku University of Art and Design Gaien Campus (1-7-15 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free