Book Maker 1：Belgium&Swedish publishing Libraryman
If you see a slim, clean, concise hardcover book in a bookstore, its likely Librarymans book. Founded in 2008 by creative director Tony Cederteg, it produces and publishes a collection of contemporary photographs, based in Antwerp, Belgium and Stockholm, Sweden. Librarymans name sounds appealing and its always something to look forward to. This year, Libraryman happens to be in its tenth year. In ten years, they produced and published 43 photography books.
In early days, Libraryman planned "A Day in the Life of..." project, six photographers including Torbj?rn R?dland、Viviane Sassen、Ola Rindal、Blommers/Schumm、Jenny K?llman、Mikael Olsson were invited to participate in the design and production of photography books. Libraryman has been planning "Seasons Series #" Series since the beginning of the year, which seems to be "A Day in the Life of... "Echo. This cooperation with henglangxiu, Katrien De Blauwer and other photographers has been published till autumn.
Librarymans core idea is to work closely with artists who are interested in publishing new or archival works. "Were still excited about every new book thats coming out to the world." This is Tonys sentiment as he looks back over the course of the decade, and Id like to say, "were still looking forward to Librarymans next book."
Website:www.libraryman.se
● What is your original intention of starting Libraryman? Please introduce us your team and the current situation.
Libraryman was founded with the aim to completely focus on photographic works in book form. Libraryman currently consists of myself, two interns from Costa Rica and South Africa, a part-time assistant, a web programmer, a web photographer, a warehouse in London, several writer friends, an accounting firm and a few distributors around the world.
● The name 「libraryman」 sounds very interesting. Could you tell us why you gave this name to it?
It was a happy accident, a name that got stuck, without further meaning, although the word 『library』 was desired within the name.
● Most of the books you published (especially recently) almost use the same design and binding, and the overall style seems to be simple and elegant, but often different works apply to different designs, which is easier for the promotion and dissemination of works. What is the reason for you to stick to your own style?
I like books to be focused on each artist and its work, with graphic design being quite subsidiary, although of great importance. I am mainly inspired by older books and other forms of expression, and I think Libraryman』s aesthetics have been formed by a consistent form of speech, of rigorous stubbornness and without external influence.
● Why are all books produced so thin? Did you want to create for the readers an atmosphere of no-ending?
Our releases are particularly suggestive, direct and poetic in comparison to commercial publishers books. We slightly tweak the norm on how a photo book is to be formed and presented, even though we may not create anything groundbreaking, we simply have a different view of how to publish photo books.
● I saw that this year is your tenth year. The newest publication is a decade selection. So it』s a collection including all your collaborating photographers? Please introduce us this book. What are the criteria of choosing which photographer you will cooperate? Is it representing your preference partly?
The anniversary book consist of selected pictures from a selection of our catalogue, in order to show the width of Libraryman as an imprint. Works from 15 photographers are being shown in the book. My taste in photography is as my music taste; diverse and daily completely different, although with recurring forms of beauty.
● How long will it take from the initial conception to the completion of a photo book?
Usually from a few months to a year and a half, depending on long the artist and I pre-discuss before deciding to work together.
● How many books have you published until now? How many titles will you publish yearly?
So far Libraryman has published 43 books. Initially a few titles were published each year, which has gradually and organically grown for each existing year. There is no specific number of titles per year.
● I noticed that for each book you made 25 copies of special editions. What is their main difference from the regular edition?
Our special editions consists of a numbered copy of the first edition with an accompanying signed and numbered original print, placed inside of a hand-made packaging—mostly in the shape of a slipcase.
● In your publications, which one is your favorite?
I like them all equally as much and sometimes I do find the newer titles a bit more interest because of the excitement of getting them published for the first time, but the same goes for the older titles as well.
Milky Way is a series of pictures of the author』s (b. 1974, French) wife and child during breastfeeding. The aesthetic aspect is determined by the feeding behaviour which imposes its geometry on bodies and on space they occupy. These images contain familiar echoes of classic icons but adorn themselves with modern elements. From these everyday moments, seized with harshness, without bitterness, emerges the force of exchanges between two beings and the milk becomes, as in the Greek legend of the Milky Way, the vector of a world under construction.
● Where did you sell your books mainly?
Mainly through various bookstores, concept stores, museum stores and clothing stores.
● Where are your readers mostly from?
Our largest target groups are located in Europe, Asia and North America.
● Besides publishing, what other practices you are engaged now?
I used to work as an art director within fashion for a long time, however, now I mostly work on Libraryman and sometimes designing books for other publishers or brands.
● What is the most remarkable thing in the ten years?
That we are still here and being so overly excited of presenting new books for the world to experience.
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