Until April 20, photographers and visual artists are invited to submit their photobook dummies and self-published books for the international SELF PUBLISH RIGA competition. The winning entries will be featured in an exhibition as part of Riga Photo Month in May 2014.
Self-publishing makes it possible for artists to make and distribute their books themselves, avoiding the restrictions dictated by mass production. Bookmaking has become a more democratic process, available to everyone. The aim of SELF PUBLISH RIGA is to introduce a wider audience to the concept of self-publishing, using succesful examples to focus on its possibilities.
Entries will be judged by an international jury: Markus Schaden (founder of the Schaden publishing house, DE), Teun van der Heijden (photobook designer, NL), Ania Nalecka (photobook designer, PL), Matt Johnston (founder of the Photobook Club, UK), Juris Petraškēvics (artist and professor, Art Academy of Latvia) and Nico Baumgarten (photographer and bookmaker, DE). Members of the jury as well as other international partners from Portugal, Sweden, Poland, Estonia and Lithuania will visit Riga in May for the SELF PUBLISH RIGA event, including a photobook exhibition, discussions, lectures and workshops.
The winner of the contest will have the chance to attend an International Summer School of Photography 2014 (http://www.issp.lv/en/summer-school/2014/about) workshop of their choice free of charge; the three best entries will receive individual porfolio reviews with the jury members. Top Ten books will receive a special online feature. More information on the competition and submission requirements: www.selfpublishriga.com