Apply Now! BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair

Apply Now! BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair

BOOKED: 2021 Art Book Pop-Ups

Overbooked

BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair at Tai Kwun Contemporary

Reiwa Book Launch & Book Signing Session by Shohei Otomo

Artist’s Choice: Shohei Otomo

BOOKED: Special Screening: Weekend

Booked: Tai Kwun Contemporary’s Hong Kong Art Book Fair

Date & Time

16 Sep - 10 Oct, 2021 Application Deadline: 8 Oct 2021

Location

JC Contemporary

Price

Please refer to Programme Details

General

Tai Kwun Contemporary's BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair is now welcoming applications from contemporary artists, art publishers, art bookmakers, and art organisations for its fourth annual art book fair, to be held from 16 to 19 December 2021. Marking its return to the Tai Kwun Contemporary galleries, this forthcoming edition of BOOKED: once again features Hong Kong–based participants and will be complemented by our “twinning” programme, which offers the opportunity for disparate people and communities to stay connected over great distances through books.

Application Deadline: Friday 8 October 2021


Programme Details

Dates and Times (times subject to change):

16 Dec 2021 (Thu) 3pm-7pm
17 Dec 2021 (Fri) 3pm-9pm
18 Dec 2021 (Sat) 12pm-7pm
19 Dec 2021 (Sun) 12pm-7pm

Venue:

1/F Galleries (JC Contemporary & F Hall)

2/F Artists’ Book Library

Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Table Options:

Artist’s Table
Artist’s tables are small tables meant for a publishing presentation by a solo artist or an artist group/collective (not open to art bookshops, publishers, or organisations).

1 small table + 1 chair

Table size: 86 x 86 x 75 cm (approx)

HKD $250

Standard Table
Standard tables are open for artists who need extra space, or for bookshops, publishers, or organisations. These are not open to commercial galleries.

1 regular table + 2 chairs

Table size: 150 x 70 x 75 cm (approx)

HKD $1000

Large Tables/Booths
Large tables/booths are intended for exhibitors with larger/experimental publishing programmes, or for commercial galleries, or a proposal for a special set-up/display in consultation with BOOKED:. More information and pricing is available upon request. Please contact booked@taikwun.hk for more details.

More information is available upon request. Pricing is available upon request

Twinning Programme

What is “twinning”? The “twinning” programme enables regional and international exhibitors to participate in BOOKED: without travelling to Hong Kong, through local “twin” partners taking part in the fair who would act as their representatives, including coordinating their sales and shipping needs for the fair.

What do you get? Successful applicants may choose to have their own table, or can share one or more tables with their “twin” exhibitor. The local exhibitor will coordinate shipping, table/booth setup, sales, and represent the overseas exhibitor on site during the art book fair.

Who do you get? Local and overseas applicants who wish to be considered for the “twinning” programme can contact their desired “twins” beforehand and state their desired partners in the application. Otherwise, applicants can also ask to be matched by the organisers of BOOKED:.

Support for “twinning”
BOOKED: will prioritise applicants who are willing to take part in the “twinning” programme, and can provide some financial assistance for international shipping to them, upon request.


Application Process

Deadline: Friday 8 October 2021


If you are a local Hong Kong-based exhibitor:

  • You can apply for an Artist’s table (if you are an artist) or a Standard table  Apply Here
  • You can also take part in the “twinning” programme:
    • You can select a non-local exhibitor of your choice (please contact them in advance and ask that they fill out the “non-local exhibitor form”)
    • You can also ask to be matched with a non-local exhibitor by BOOKED: organisers
    • If you take part in the “twinning” programme, you can choose to share the same table/one table fee, or you may apply for two tables together (space permitting)

If you are a non-local exhibitor:

  • You need to apply for the “twinning” programme and find a local exhibitor who can host you (either to share one table or two tables together, space permitting)
  • You may also apply for the “twinning” programme and the BOOKED: team will try to match you with a local exhibitor

Application form for Non-local Exhibitors

View our BOOKED: minisite: www.taikwun.hk/booked (design updated annually)


Selection Process:
Applications are evaluated by a committee that includes representatives of Tai Kwun Contemporary as well as field experts. Submissions are evaluated based on the applicant's artistic merits, especially in relation to art and/or art publishing, and how they fit within the overall sphere of artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing, and/or other printed ephemera. Participants from past editions of the fair should try to represent different books/publications/products from previous years. Selected applicants will be notified around mid- to late October and invited to join BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair.

Selection Criteria:
BOOKED: strives to have a variety of exhibitors from the overall sphere of artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental art writing—with a firm focus on visual and contemporary art. Exhibitors should have relevant books ready and available for sale at the fair, while no more than half of the table should include items such as posters, non-editioned prints, handcrafted merchandise that are not books, etc. Exhibitors must comply with the laws of Hong Kong.

Safety Measures:
Tai Kwun will adopt measures in compliance with the latest safety regulations. For example, having adequate spacing if needed between each table, and limited time slots for visitors.

Cancellation:
Tai Kwun reserves the right to adjust the timing or location, as well as the set up of the event in compliance with the latest safety and social distancing measures. In case of event cancellation, Tai Kwun will refund all table/booth fees in full.

Responsibilities:
The local exhibitor must have at least one person staffing their and/or their “twin” partner’s table(s). In the case of a local exhibitor being twinned with a non-local participant, the local exhibitor is responsible for coordinating with the non-local participant to receive the books, finances, and return shipping. The non-local participant must be responsible for shipping the books to the local exhibitor. Tai Kwun may provide some storage options ahead of time, upon request.


Frequently Asked Questions

A. Twinning Programme

1. What is “twinning”?
The “twinning” programme enables regional and international exhibitors to participate in BOOKED: without travelling to Hong Kong, through local “twin” partners taking part in the fair who would act as their representatives, including coordinating their sales and shipping needs for the fair. Local exhibitors can also suggest non-local exhibitors to apply, and help present their works in Hong Kong.

2. How does this work?
Successful applicants may choose to have their own table, or can share one or more tables with their “twin” exhibitor. The local exhibitor will coordinate shipping, table/booth setup, sales, and represent the overseas exhibitor on site during the art book fair.

3. How do I find a "twinning" partner?
Local and overseas applicants who wish to be considered for the “twinning” programme can contact their desired “twins” beforehand and state their desired partners in the application. Otherwise, applicants can also ask to be matched by the organisers of BOOKED:.

4. Can I bring my own partner for “twinning”?
Yes. You can either select an exhibitor of your choice, and if so, please contact them in advance and ask them to fill out the “non-local exhibitor form; OR You can ask to be matched by BOOKED: organisers if you take part in the “twinning” programme.

5. Can I partner with more than one artist?
Yes, if you wish to propose to work with more than one artist and/or set up a group presentation, please note this in your application, as well as any relevant themes, or reasons for showing them together.

6. I am a local exhibitor. Can I partner with another local exhibitor?
We strongly encourage local exhibitors to look for non-local exhibitor for the twin programme. If you would like to share a table, you may simply submit a joint application (just one application) as a local exhibitor.

7. What is the fee for the twinning programme?
You can choose to share the same table and one table fee, or you may apply for two tables together and two table fees (space permitting).

8. Is there any financial support for book shipments if I take part in the twinning programme?
BOOKED: will prioritise applicants who are willing to take part in the “twinning” programme, and can provide some financial assistance for international shipping to them, upon request.


B. General

1. What is the difference between an Artist’s table and a Standard table?
Artist’s tables are small tables meant for a publishing presentation by a solo artist or an artist group/collective; only one chair will be provided, and there is only space for one chair. Artist’s tables are not open to art bookshops, publishers, or organisations; your application may be disqualified if you are not an artist and still apply for an artist’s table.

Standard tables are open for artists who need extra space, or for bookshops, publishers, or organisations. Standard tables are not open to commercial galleries.

2. I am a bookstore with lots of books. Can I rent two or more tables?
Unfortunately, space is very limited at BOOKED: this year. You may indicate in your application the need for some extra space, but we cannot promise or guarantee extra space. If you take part in the twinning programme, you may also together with your twin apply for one table each.

3. I have a special display proposal. What should I do?
We have limited display areas reserved for exhibitors with larger/experimental publishing programmes. Such proposals are evaluated based on the applicant's artistic merits, especially in relation to art and/or art publishing, and how they fit within the overall sphere of artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing, and/or other printed ephemera.

Please contact booked@taikwun.hk for more details.

4. I am a commercial art gallery. I am interested in taking part. What should I do?
We have limited tables reserved for commercial galleries who are interested in doing a special set up or display. Submissions are evaluated based on the artistic merits of the applicant's represented materials, especially in relation to art and/or art publishing, and how they fit within the overall sphere of artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing, and/or other printed ephemera.

More information and pricing is available upon request. Please contact booked@taikwun.hk for more details.

5. What are the criteria in selecting exhibitors?
BOOKED: strives to have a variety of exhibitors, while maintaining its criteria for selection:

  • Ideal exhibitors will feature some of the following: artists’ books, zines, photo books, art monographs, critical/theoretical and experimental writing.

  • Ideal exhibitors will showcase remarkable contemporary artistic practices through their works, primarily works in the form of printed matter.

  • Ideal exhibitors should have books available for sale; an exhibitor’s table cannot be a promotional table with no books available for sale.

  • Exhibitors should have a focus on visual and contemporary art, with no more than half of the table for non-art publications (such as literature or poetry), as well as related items (such as posters, non-editioned prints, handcrafted merchandise that are not books, etc.).

  • Exhibitors who have taken part in previous editions of BOOKED: should also have new material to present.

  • Applicants willing to participate in the “twinning” programme will receive priority in being selected.