Martin Parr: “We need bad books in order to understand good books”

Photobook Bristol, UK was held from 06 June 2014 – 09 June 2014.

A renowned mix of established and emerging photographers, collectors and publishers came to theUK in June for a three‐day event to celebrate the rising popularity of the photobook. It was the first time the UK hosted a festival entirely dedicated to photobooks, which took place at the  SouthBank  Club  in  Bristol.

The event was co‐organised by RRB Photobooks and independent photography organisation IC‐Visual
Lab.
Audiences  was   treated  to  well‐known champions  of  the  medium,  Martin  Parr  and  Gerry  Badger,
debating  their much  talked  about  ‘The
 Photobook:
 A
 History’  trilogy.  Other  highlights  included  a  rare
appearance  from  Bristol‐born  Stephen  Gill as  well  as  Berlin‐based  Joachim  Schmid,  who went through  his favourite photobooks in a variation of the popular Photoworks series Desert
Island
Pics.

Organiser Rudi Thoemmes said: “I am amazed by  the  responses we have had, especially  from overseas.
This event is 100% independent and is going to be a sell‐out. Hopefully this will be the start of an ongoing
sustainable initiative.”

Photographer, photobook devotee and Bristol resident Martin Parr said: “The  first photobook  festival in
the UK is going to be a momentous occasion. With photobook lovers, good talks, a great venue, good food
and company – what’s not to like?”

Participants  included:  Joachim
 Schmid,
 Gerry
 Badger,
 Andy
 Sewell,
 Martin
 Parr,
 Jeffrey
 Ladd,
 Thomas
Wiegand,
 Max 
Pinckers,
 Amanda
 Renshaw,
 Michael
 Mack,
 Stephen 
Gill,
 Jesús 
Micó,
 Jon
 Tonks,
 Sébastien
Girard,
 Ken
 Grant,
 Peter
 Mitchell,
 Anouk 
Kruithof,
 Bart 
Sorgedrager,
 Corinne
 Noordenbos,
 Bruno
 Ceschel,
Paul
 Seawright
 and
 Donovan 
Wylie.