bookartbookshop
If, like me, you have an obsession for books or you are otherwise aesthetically and bibliographically curious, you might already be familiar with the quaint Shoreditch based shop, which stocks the most attractive art books in all shapes and sizes – as well as audio, pop-up and one-off editions. I came across the bright red jewel on 17 Pitfield Street by accident when I was on my way to meeting a friend with some time to kill and found various could-be-presents for all ages including myself.
If ever you have wondered where to find a DVD on Belgian Surrealism or a book that pays homage to Duchamp’s Auras or other astounding fresh takes on diverse art theories, linguistic, graphic novels, haikus and much more than this shop is an ideal place to browse in a friendly ambiance, and spend time and money in a relaxed atmosphere.
The books on show and sale are objects where the conceptual meets material form and are mainly produced by small, UK based, presses from Atlas Press to Bookworks, from Coracle Press to Daily Twit, it is all there on the shelves. But you also can find some tiny editions of photocopied pamphlets by now-unknown-tomorrow-maybe-superstar art students and artists. In particularly I recommend the series by Jessica Jane Charlton including ‘Don’t lie, London’ and other stories.
The shop-window is a constantly changing exhibition space in its own right.
Illustration Otto Dettmer
Co-founder Tanya Peixoto has been running the shop since 2002 and although it is not thriving financially, it has gained a strong reputation for itself with a large number of regular and new visitors. It relies still on the involvement of volunteer to make ends meet and reinvests any profit into improving the enterprise further. It is a unique little place with a big impact.
But then again you might be that art student or artist looking to flog your hand-stitched booklets or illustrated poems to the masses. In which case feel free to bring your work along to the bookartbookshop which is open Thursday to Saturday afternoons and hopefully they will take your latest creation on sales or return basis. It might be advisable to check the place out beforehand though to get a better file of their products.
It is quite remarkable that this place, which is not bigger than your mum’s kitchen, is also a venue for literary events, book launches, meetings, lectures and other wild and wonderful activities. Pop in if you are in the area and have a look at the latest pop-ups.
More here.
Posted by Valeria Melchioretto
Illustration Otto Dettmer