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.