What is the AABF?
The ABBF is an artist-run organisation devoted to artist publishing. Our international art book fair happens once a year and hosts artists, publishers, zinesters and anything in-between from Greece and abroad.
What are we looking for?
We aim to prioritise practitioners devoted to publishing as medium. With this in mind we are looking for artists, designers, photographers, zinesters, publishers, etc with at least a handful of publications publications. Additionally, we want our final exhibitor list to reflect our geographic location, and are especially interested in publishing practices from the Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean regions, as well as artistic practices from the cultural peripheries.
How can I apply?
If you are a publishing practitioner (be that an artist, a zinester, a publisher, a magazine, a bookshop, a library, an archive, a gallery, an institution, etc) you can apply for a table by filling out our application form.
Can I apply with a single publication?
No and yes! You are not eligible for a table with a single publication but you can apply to be part of our Collective Display. (Please refer below for more info on the Collective Display)
Can I apply with a publication proposal?
No, we only accept projects that have already been materialised.
Can I apply with a digital publication?
Yes, we are activelly looking for digital works. If you created a publication intended to be experienced digitally apply to be part of our Collective Display.
Do I need to pay to participate?
Yes, Athens Art Book Fair is artist-run and currently only funded by the contribution of our participants. We aspire to be as fair as possible and know first hand that a horizontal rate can exclude participants so we devised three different fee categories that will help us cover the costs of the event. This year we are also introducing a sliding scale, in an effort to make a fairer participation for everyone: Artist/Zinester €80-120, Small press/Publisher/Magazine €120 – 200, Bookshops €150 – 250. With this we want to consider other factors that will be reflected in the pricing, aside from the initial categories of artist/ publisher and to allow for more range within the the categories themselves such as currency strength/local economies, project size and access to travel funding. Please note that all table sizes are the same.
As an exhibitor do I need to be physically present during the fair?
Absolutely, all exhibitors with a table are required to be present during the fair and responsible for their table, publications, sales and receipts (if applicable).
How many exhibitors get accepted?
The Athens Art Book Fair is an inclusive curated event, due to space restrictions, places are limited and there is a selection process involved. The venue capacity for our 2024 edition is no more than 100 exhibitors.
How are exhibitors selected?
Applications are reviewed upon the end of our open call period by the team and two guest judges from our publishing community in Greece. These are rotating positions that involve long standing exhibitors in the decision making process and maintain a transparency in how the fair is run.
When will I know if I was accepted?
All applicants are notified within a period of two months after the end of Open Call.
What is the Collective Display?
The Collective Display presents a curated selection of publications and acts as a read-only, exhibition space. This is a space especially focused in works by local artists and a way to showcase parts of our growing library of works. All works are accompanied by a QR code enabling visitors to purchase them online directly from the artist.
Who is the Collective Display for?
Publishing practitioners at the very beginning of their practice, publications by projects that are no longer active, artists/projects that are not usually working with publications but have produced an artist book or publication, artists/projects that are not interested in participating with a table but want to present a work during the fair, artist that cannot participate in the fair due to date conflicts or geographical distance, etc.
How is the Collective Display run?
You need to fill this application form. Participation in the Collective Display is free but keep in mind that if you post your publication from abroad we cannot post it back. We encourage participants in the Collective Display to leave their publication in our library in order to be exhibited again in the future.
Athens Art Book Fair 