Printed Matter, Inc

Founding

Initially publishing artist's books, Printed Matter, Inc. was founded by a group of artists in 1976 as a for-profit art space in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. The idea behind publishing artist's books, initiated by artist Sol LeWitt, was that instead of producing free, promotional items from art dealers, the artist's books Printed Matter would create would be serious, unique publications made by artists, not dealers. The name "artist's book" was coined from an 1973 exhibition held at Moore College of Art and Design that Dianne Perry Vanderlip curated; the name Printed Matter came after that event.

Printed Matter is one of only a few organizations that creates and distributes artists' books, incorporating self-publishing, small press publishing, and artist networks and collectives. Historically there was no lack of publishers of these works, but there was a real need for distributors; Printed Matter functions as a distribution agency and as well as a publisher of "bookworks" created by artists like Sol LeWitt. Another descriptor that is useful in describing the materials produced by Printed Matter is book art. The works published by Printed Matter are editioned and are conceived by artists as art works; however, they are not the expensive book arts / book objects but are often mass-produced in large batches of affordable editions.

Among the collective of artists involved from the beginning were Sol LeWitt, Lucy Lippard, Carol Androcchio (who later married LeWitt), Amy Baker (Sandback), Edit DeAk, Mike Glier, Nancy Linn, Walter Robinson, Ingrid Sischy, Pat Steir, Mimi Wheeler, Robin White, Irena von Zahn.

Lucy Lippard, one of the founders of Printed Matter, cites artist Seth Siegelaub's International General Editions as a model for Printed Matter, Inc. In 1976, Printed Matter's inaugural catalog of books included then unknown artists who went on to become established artists of their generation: Kathy Acker, Laurie Anderson, Carl Andre, John Baldessari, Daniel Buren, Susan Hiller, Sol LeWitt, Adrian Piper, Ad Reinhardt, Martha Rosler, Edward Ruscha, Lawrence Weiner, etc.

Non-profit status

Writer and editor Ingrid Sischy was hired by Sol LeWitt and the board of Printed Matter, becoming the director of the company. She was able to apply for and get non-profit status. In 1978, Printed Matter Inc. became a non-profit organization with a focus on artist publications.

Many radical, avant-garde and experimental artists and writers have been linked to Printed Matter, Inc. Figures in its early history were critic and artist Lucy Lippard, artist Sol LeWitt, and Carl Andre among others. Printed Matter served as a sort of support system for avant-garde artists as well as a place of community, oftentimes balancing functions as both a producer of books as well as an exhibition space and center of the downtown arts scene.

Submission process

Books are either discovered via a submission process or come from a network of artists, distributors, and publishers. Because of the non-traditional approach to curating content, the inventory of Printed Matter is very diverse, representing the long tail concept of offerings. The mail order catalog model of fulfillment is how Printed Matter maintains a global reach to its worldwide customer base, which includes libraries, archives, and museums, as well as academic institutions and individuals.

Community

Printed Matter is tied to its local community, holding courses on-site for students in high school as well as college and middle school. This is possible because Printed Matter is a practical space with a ground floor storefront that often attracts street traffic from nearby galleries as well as being a global mail order company. Many of the artists are not represented by agents, but instead rely on the submission process, which encourages the publishing of emerging, developing artists. Because of this, Printed Matter provides a level of programmed content not available in the commercial sector of publishing. Works are also often political, like Martha Rosler's Service: A Trilogy on Colonization. There is programming like the "Artists + Activists" series that focuses on the history of pamphleteering.

Arrangement of collection

The collected works are organized by artist's last names, with special sections based on the type of materials (i.e., zines, audio, periodicals, specific presses). Organization can be a challenge so each year an inventory is taken of all materials at Printed Matter, resulting in a comprehensive listing that is very organized in July of each year.

Locations

In 1989, Printed Matter, Inc. moved to SoHo, where it stayed for 12 years before moving to Chelsea in 2001, where it stayed for 4 years until it moved to its current location, also in Chelsea.

Window programs

Printed Matter became known for its installations of what became known as "window programs," site-specific interactive window exhibitions that were meant to engage the public in the public-political, versus being a showcase for retail sales.

Book fairs

Artist AA Bronson served as executive director of Printed Matter from 2004-2010 and during that time created and directed the NY Art Book Fair. Started in 2006, the NY Art Book Fair hosts over 200 independent presses, booksellers, antiquarian dealers, artists, and publishers. The Los Angeles Book Fair was started in 2013. The NY Art Book Fair and LA Art Book Fair are now both presented by Printed Matter. After Bronson's departure, Phil Aarons, who is on the board of Printed Matter, and Shannon Michael Cane and Jordan Nassar, help to put together the book fairs.

Archives

Printed Matter houses a large archive of published material. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed a large portion of the archive. The Art Dealers Association of America provided some of its $250,000 Relief Fund to Printed Matter to work to repair the damage of more than 2 meters of water in the basement area where the archives were held.

Exhibitions