From Friday 11th of October until Sunday 13th of October, MISS READ: The Berlin Art Book Fair & Festival took place at HKW (Haus der Kulturen der Welt).
Over three days, over 340 exhibitors from over 50 countries and thousands of visitors gathered at HKW. Publishers, editors, teachers, designers, artists, and independent creatives internationally came together to dive into the world of books and to dialogue on publishing as an artistic and a political practice.
With a focus on decolonizing art book fairs, this year’s theme, “Where Our Freedom Begins,” highlighted Afro-feminist and queer voices, providing a platform for discussions through talks, performances, screenings, and workshops throughout the event.
For this occasion, the Distributed Design Platform team from Fab Lab Barcelona showcased our recent publications and design approach with participating publishers, authors, and festival goers.
Takeaways from our participation at MISS READ
MISS READ intentionally engages with publishing as a space for transformation, resistance, and (re)imagination. While learnings were endless, here are some key insights we gathered during the festival:
- Nurturing a Creative Ecosystem Rooted in the Pluriverse
Supporting global bibliodiversity was a central theme at MISS READ, emphasizing the importance of amplifying new voices and lesser-known narratives. This approach elevates traditionally othered voices and practices, actively creating space for different realities within and beyond the creative landscape.
- Books as a living archive
At MISS READ, we were reminded again and again that books are not static. As a living archive, our resources evolve to reflect not only our ongoing work but also the realities of our present and our hopes for the future, as well as our learning processes. This iterative process also supports us in continuously revisiting and understanding our core values locally and globally.
- Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration
With the diverse perspectives and narratives present at the festival, we left even more inspired to continue envisioning and designing reality(ies) grounded in values and collaboration. It also encouraged us to keep questioning how we can communicate to support diversity and accessibility, ultimately bringing more voices to the conversation.
Exploring open practices in art and publishing
Whether in the form of blog posts, toolkits, interviews, or books, published works have been integral to the Distributed Design Platform since its inception. Our publications serve as a lasting medium to promote open and accessible knowledge while supporting our community to explore, share, and question the role of Distributed Design. They provide a collaborative space for our diverse community to dive into the tangible –techniques and practices — and the theoretical — design theory and policy– on local and global scales.
Engaging in international book festivals, like MISS READ, allows us to expand the reach of our community’s work while participating in vital global conversations. These events offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, where we can exchange ideas with like-minded thinkers and gain fresh perspectives. By being present at such events, we create new possibilities to work ecosystemically, connecting different fields and fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships that enrich our collective efforts and enhance our impact.
Publications are more than just documentation; they are tools for establishing thought leadership, sparking innovation, and creating networks that amplify our impact. By showcasing our work on these international stages, we strengthen the visibility of Distributed Design, positioning it as a critical part of the creative and cultural industries. The dialogues and connections we form at these fairs help ensure that our work evolves in meaningful, impactful ways that resonate far beyond our immediate community.
Publishing the Pluriverse: contribute to Driving Design Vol.III
We invite you to join us as we continue to explore the many ways of knowing, being, and doing within journey to As we continue to reflect on the diverse narratives and perspectives showcased at MISS READ, we are in the midst of invite you to join us in this journey of exploration and collaboration. Ready to contribute to Driving Design Vol. III?
Find out more about the Open Call here. Submissions for abstracts are open until November 17, 2024.
Are you interested in Find out more about the Open Call here. Submissions for abstracts are open until November 17, 2024.
