Vol. 1 is here
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Last time, we introduced the points that IACK focuses on when selecting a collection of works.
1. Regardless of the genre, first and foremost, does the work itself (content) seem strong?
2. Is a collection of works an independent form of expression, just like an exhibition, and has the work been created with this in mind?
3. Balance of content, expression, and output
I think the above three points can be useful references when reading a collection of works. Of course, it is also necessary to read the work in light of its context and history, but please use them as a reference to view it with evaluation criteria other than your own preferences.
From now on, I would like to talk a little about how I would like to introduce this collection of selected works.
How to grasp volume and speed
The art book/photo book boom of the 2010s has produced an unprecedented number of collections of artworks and audiences. However, on the other hand, it is also true that many artworks were never properly appreciated and were forgotten, and many audiences were only able to consume these works as a passing fad and then lost interest.
Why did we end up in such a situation? The first thing that comes to mind as the reason is that there was too much production. However, the situation is obviously not that simple.
It is true that in recent years, so many anthologies have been produced that people have complained that there are too many of them, all of which are of poor quality.All the hurdles to publishing have been lowered.andBecause awareness of the collection as a medium has increased once againWe must not forget that this is not a bad thing in itself.
I think the cause is not the quantity or quality, but thespeedI think it was in that.
Let's dig a little deeper. It may be surprising given what we've discussed so far, but in the 2010s, the mainstream approach was to slow down, reduce the number of works produced, and create more carefully curated collections of works.
So why does it seem like there's more? It's because the number of independent publishers and self-publishers has increased.While the number of works produced by each publishing company has decreased, the total number of collections on the market has increased due to the increase in the number of creators, and as a result, it feels like new books are being published all the time.I think that is the case.
Let's reorganize things to make things clearer.
- Before the 10s
The idea of a collection of works as a work in itself, and independent publishers that produced collections with that awareness, existed at the time, but they had not yet spread to the extent that they do today. Mass production led by major publishers remained mainstream, publishing a large number of titles per year.
- 10s
From the previous collections with strong collection elements, we are moving to more democratic and artistic collections (art books/photo books). We are reducing the number of titles produced per year, and each book is produced in collaboration with an artist. While we are aiming to slow down overall, the number of creators is increasing dramatically. Art book fairs are also becoming more widespread.
- ~the current?
As the popularity of the genre grows, the number of creators increases, and the market is constantly flooded with new publications. The speed and monotony of the cycle gradually leads to saturation.
The volume and speed of problems change over time. As explained above, I hope you understand that in order to move the discussion forward, we need to look at the situation from a broader perspective.
So, in this situation, what can IACK do to connect creators and audiences? We believe it is to construct a unique timeline and provide "just right" discourse.
(to be continued)
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*Note 1: MACK, a London publishing house that led the way in photobook production in the 2010s, felt that the pace of publishing collections had been too fast, and reduced the number of titles produced per year to focus on careful production of work. From mass-produced catalogs to democratic collections of work. This approach became the standard in the 2010s and influenced many publishers.https://imaonline.jp/articles/interview/20161209michael-mack_1/#page-1
