Since its early days, Archivorum has supported the work of independent art publishers by collaborating on the creation of artist books and collecting the complete catalogues of independent art publishers for its libraries in France and Italy, ensuring public and comprehensive access to their full body of work. After our previous conversations with Zolo Press and Humboldt Books, we are excited to present the third installment of Publishers Talks with About Books, an independent publisher of contemporary art, cultural and architectural books created in 2017 by Bruno Margreth.
Based in Zurich, About Books develops elaborated book projects in limited editions in close collaboration with artists, curators and architects. The complete catalog by About Books is part of the Archivorum Library collection, contributing to preserving the work of the independent publisher and is available for consultation in our space in Turin.
Next year you’ll celebrate 10 years of publishing. What initially drew you into publishing books and what’s the first project you initiated?
For many years, I worked as an independent graphic designer for various national and international publishers. The idea of creating a platform where I could publish books without having to compromise on content or design grew ever stronger. My career as a publisher officially began in 2014, when I co-founded “The Name Books” with two partners. In 2017, I founded my own publishing company, “About Books.”
The first book I published through this imprint was the experimental book “Brandnacht“ by the 90-year-old artist Hans-Jörg Leu featuring his spray-painted illustrations of old Swiss mythology. It is a beautiful flatbook, and the artist’s edition includes unique, hand-sprayed slipcases.
If you had to describe the core identity of your publications in just a few words, how would you define the editorial direction of your catalogue?
The core identity of About Books is characterized by strong concepts, limited editions, sophisticated design and manufacturing. Our catalogue is based on the principle that the layout, the choice of paper, and the tactile quality of a printed publication must carefully reflect the content and be based on it. This does not necessarily mean very expensive productions, although I do try to have the books printed and bound in Switzerland. I value high-quality and sustainable production.
What are the criteria for choosing the artists you work with and what are the main stages of your collaboration?
I choose to work with artists, designers, architects, and curators who view a book not just as a portfolio, but as a unique medium for their ideas. A book should not only document an existing work. When collaborating, I am interested in dialogue and an exchange and I allow the artists the greatest possible freedom for their projects.
What does independence mean for you as a publisher, and what are the biggest challenges that come with it?
Independence means creative freedom over every single detail of a book’s production. It allows us to prioritise artistic ideas over the commercial pressures of the mainstream. However, this freedom comes with challenges. Operating in small editions means we must balance production expenses while navigating a highly competitive international book trade.
Are there any projects you are particularly excited about at the moment?
I am delighted with our latest artist’s book projects, such as our collaboration with Julian Charrière on “After the Smoke Cradle”, which is also a collaboration with the curator David Khalat from the Edition VFO. This project perfectly reflects what we are working towards: every single dust jacket is completely unique and is printed directly at the Wolfensberger lithography studio using exactly the same pigments as the actual artwork in the series. Projects like this, which combine traditional printmaking with contemporary art, are precisely the kind of publishing work we are passionate about. At the moment, I’m also working on a project for the Designer Trix and Robert Haussmann; the book will contain facsimile reproductions of Robert Haussmann’s drawings and sketches and will be produced as a limited edition in a special box. Also worth mentioning are the books I have produced with the architect Valerio Olgiati; the latest book project is scheduled for release in October.
What directions or ambitions do you imagine for About Books in the coming years?
My goal is to further explore an experimental approach to book design while using traditional craftsmanship to create unique, high-quality books for collectors and book lovers. My books are a niche product. I have no ambition to expand into a large publishing house; instead, I want to continue focusing on small print runs and the highest quality without compromise.
Thank you About Books!
Photo Credits from top to bottom:
© Left: Collector’s edition of the book “Brandnacht” by Hans-Jörg Leu with a sprayed slipcase / Right: Bruno Margreth with the artist’s book “Verlorene Sammlung” by Lena Amuat & Zoë Meyer. Photo © Anna Sarcletti
© Books and editions from the About Books catalog. Photo © Bruno Margreth
© Left / Right: Printed sheets and book “After the Smoke Cradle” by Julian Charrière. Each dust jacket is unique, printed at the Wolfensberger lithography studio. Photo © Zoë Meyer
© Left: Books and editions presented at the “I Never Read” book fair. Photo © Bruno Margreth/ Right: Artist’s book “Space Is My Canvas” by Kerim Seiler. Photo © Zoë Meyer
© Test prints for the book “Artefakte und Modelle” by Lena Amuat & Zoë Meyer. Photo © Lena Amuat
© Left / Right: Artist’s book “A Wandering Soul” by Sandra Nedvetskaia. Photo © Zoë Meyer
All photos by About Books and all answers by About Books, edited by Bruno Margreth