Written by Michelle O’Malley

Edited by Parker Renick

The International Center for Photography hosted its annual Photobook Fest last weekend, May 21-22, 2022, at the new ICP building at Essex Crossing on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The event was presented in collaboration with the 41st edition of The Photography Show: Presented by AIPAD (Association of Independent Art Dealers), a photography event that kicked off with a VIP Preview on Thursday evening, May 19th, and carried on through Sunday, May 22nd. Following a two-year hiatus from holding these events in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an anticipatory buzz of excitement prefaced and remained constant throughout the immersive fest.

Over 40 leading and independent photobook publishers and photographers and their latest works were featured at the event. Attracting art aficionados from all over the country, The fest provides insight into their art-making process. Elements of the fest included hands-on zine-making workshops, talks between artists, facility and darkroom tours, and book signings. Prominent ICP alumni, faculty, and book publishers were all in attendance. Respected photographers such as Greg Halpern, Justine Kurland, Christopher Makos, Accra Shepp, Joni Sternbach, and Spencer Tunick were a handful of those that took part in the book signings. Publishing companies featured included Aperture, Daylight Books, Steidl, 21st Editions, and many more.

By providing an event that only featured photography as displayed in book form, audiences were able to appreciate the works of art in their hands, not just viewing but feeling all of the preparation that goes into the print and publication of a photobook. The act of photographers signing their works made the experience all the more interactive and enticing. The dynamic nature of photography was on full display in a manner that encouraged viewers to become participants.

In preparation for the event, ICP executive director David E. Little shared, “Photobooks are central to the history of photography, and their unique ability to speak about pressing issues of our time through carefully edited sequences of photographs from page to page is more important now than ever,” he continued, “We are thrilled to partner with the Association of International Photography Art Dealers to be part of this exciting weekend honoring photography with a wide selection of prestigious photography book publishers as well as the next generation of emerging independent publishers.”

Alumni and Faculty Display with Alakananda Nag, Courtesy of ICP

Given the packed halls and immense coverage, it would be safe to say that the first Photobook Fest since the pandemic was a success. Surely, by interacting with artists and their passion-fueled works, emerging photographers and any person with any sort of creative inclination were left inspired.

To view more information about this event, visit ICP’s website here.