Shanghai: UNFOLD (June 9-11)
June was a really busy month with two art book fairs happening one after another. The first was UNFOLD, happening in Shanghai. The last time we participated in the UNFOLD Shanghai Art Book Fair was two years ago in 2021, so it was nice that the event was back in Shanghai again! This time, the venue had changed to the Start Museum along the Westbund riverside, where everyone was packed together in one gigantic glass house. Not sure if it was just coincidence, but our table was right beside Lala Company again, whom we had collaborated with to produce the illustrated book “Jalan-Jalan”. As always, the Shanghai Art Book Fair is a great chance to meet everyone in the indie publishing scene in one place. It was also nice to be back in Shanghai after travelling outside for a while!
Beijing: abC Beijing (June 14-18)
We didn’t make it to abC Bejing last year due to travel restrictions, so we were really excited to go this year after missing out on Beijing last time! The venue for the event was in a beautifully restored historical building, with lots of sunlight and plenty of room. Also, for the first time in three years, we finally got some exhibitors from the outside, including Temporary Press from Singapore, whom we had also just met at the Singapore Art Book Fair 2 months ago!
Having not visited Beijing in 2 years, we did some cycling and exploration with other exhibitors to rediscover Beijing outside the fair. We also checked out abC’s new office space and bookstore/gallery/cafe/bar near Nanluoguxiang, called Oneiro Space, which was super cool and chill.
After the abC art book fair, we popped by postpost’s second shop near Sanlitun which was just super amazing with lots of independent magazines, coffee cocktails and just a really nice vibe. Beijing definitely feels different after 2 years!