Apply Now: BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair

Tai Kwun Contemporary's BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair is now welcoming applications from contemporary artists, art publishers, art bookmakers, and art organisations for its fifth annual Hong Kong Art Book Fair, from 28 April to 1 May 2023. 

Hong Kong’s premier large-scale art book fair will be welcoming approximately 80–100 exhibitors in the upcoming edition, and will be featuring art and artists’ books, photobooks, critical and experimental writing, art magazines, zines, related ephemera and more, as well as a series of public programmes such as talks, performances, displays, workshops and special projects.

Submission deadline: Friday 20 January 2023

Ideal exhibitors will feature at least some of the following: artists’ books, zines, photobooks, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing. Print-based and other ephemera  (e.g. pins, postcards, posters, stickers, tote bags) are accepted so long as over half of the table includes books, zines, photobooks etc. 

Dates (precise hours subject to change):
28 Apr 2023 (Fri): 3–7 pm
29 Apr 2023 (Sat): 12–7 pm
30 Apr 2023 (Sun): 12–7 pm
1 May 2023 (Mon): 12–7 pm

Venue:

Tai Kwun Contemporary, JC Contemporary, Block 20, Tai Kwun, Central, Hong Kong

Table Options:

Submission deadline: Friday 20 January 2023

How to apply:

• Please fill out the digital form (in English or Chinese)

• Applicants should also submit up to 10 images in JPEG or PDF formats, no larger than 10MB in total

• If you have a new work/publication to showcase, please include in the field “Other Comments”

• If you have a proposal for a book launch, talk, or programme, please also include in the “Other Comments” field

Selection Process:
Submissions are evaluated by a committee that includes representatives of Tai Kwun Contemporary as well as field experts. Submissions are evaluated based on the applicant's artistic merits, especially in relation to art and/or art publishing, and how they fit within the overall sphere of artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing, and/or other printed ephemera. Participants from past editions of the fair should endeavour to represent through varied books/publications/products from previous years.

Selection Criteria:

• BOOKED: strives to have a variety of exhibitors, while maintaining its criteria for selection:

• Ideal exhibitors will feature some of the following: artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing.

• Ideal exhibitors will showcase remarkable contemporary artistic practices through their works, primarily works in the form of printed matter.

• Ideal exhibitors should have books available for sale; an exhibitor’s table cannot be a promotional table with no books available for sale.

• Exhibitors should have a focus on visual and contemporary art, with no more than half of the table for non-art publications (such as literature or poetry), as well as related items (such as posters, non-editioned prints, handcrafted merchandise that are not books, etc.).

• Exhibitors who have taken part in previous editions of BOOKED: should also have new material to present.

Safety Measures:
Tai Kwun will adopt measures in compliance with the latest safety regulations. For example, having adequate spacing if needed between each table, and limited time slots for visitors.

Cancellation:
Tai Kwun reserves the right to adjust the timing or location, as well as the set up of the event in compliance with the latest safety and social distancing measures. In case of event cancellation, Tai Kwun will refund all table/booth fees in full.

BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair underscores Tai Kwun Contemporary’s dedication to presenting contemporary art publishing through its Artists' Book Library—a growing collection of Asia-centred, artist-driven publications, as well as special projects and programmes that support the cultural ecology in Hong Kong. This includes providing a platform for creative practitioners and publishers who are invested in books as a medium of artistic and intellectual expression to share their work. It also provides an opportunity for public audiences to enjoy and engage with these materials as an important resource for learning and research.