10x10 American Photobooks at PGH Photo Fair

I'm thrilled to say that there will be a preview of the 10x10 American Photobooks project at Unsmoke Art Space during the PGH Photo Fair. My first encounter with the 10x10 concept was last year during the NY Art Book Fair at PS1 in NYC. Some folks connected with the library at the International Center of Photography (where I still have a supporting role) decided to do a pop up show of Japanese photobooks at a nearby space. They asked 10 experts in the genre to each nominate 10 Japanese books that they felt were important. The 100 resulting choices were all on display along with supporting text from the nominators describing why they loved these books. 

It was a huge hit. At the opening, luminaries from the photo and photobook worlds jammed in to see the books. It was such a success that folks from the Tokyo Institute of Photography asked if there could be another iteration in Tokyo. The ICP folks thought it would be funny to show Japanese books in Japan presented by Americans, so the American Photobooks idea was launched. Same concept, but this time 10 American nominators would choose 10 American photobooks each. There will also be a catalog with 10 additional writers (I'm happy to say I can count myself among the 10) and an online/blog presentation with some additional choices. 

The 10x10 American Photobooks Reading Room will be on the 3rd floor of the Unsmoke Art Space in the classroom which is being generously lent to us by Bibliopolis Books. 

There is also going to be a preview in New York with a panel:

NYC Preview of 10x10 American Photobooks
May 3 - 5, 2013
Opening reception: May 3 from 7 - 9pm
Ten10 Studios
10-10 47th Road
Long Island City, NY 11101

Panel Discussion on Sunday May 5 at 3pm
Fionn Meade, moderator – independent curator
David Senior – MoMA bibliographer
Christina Labey – Publisher Conveyor arts
Nicholas Muellner – Series Editor SPBH – self publish be happy

If you happen to be in NYC in the beginning of May, check it out.

You can read more abut the project at the website:

http://www.10x10photobooks.org/

Also, their Indiegogo site (which was fully funded and now closed) has a ton of info about the project:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/10x10-american-photobooks--12 

PGH Photo Fair continues to add exhibitors and content that promise to make it a very satisfying weekend for lovers of photography. I hope to see you there.....