TABF Back in 2021 with Online Venue and Offline Venue!

The TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR (TABF) started in 2009 as the first book fair in Japan
dedicated to art publications. Once annually, the TABF serves as a place for artists, galleries,
and publishers of unique art books from both Japan and abroad to converge in Tokyo: wherecreators can engage in direct communication with guests about the allure of their creations.
The 10th TABF hosted in 2019 unfolded as the largest incarnation of the event yet – home toover 300 exhibitors and welcoming over 35,000 guests over a four day-span. With the onsetof the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, we made the decision of cancelling thein-person rendition of the TABF that year to ensure the health and safety of participants. Weinstead envisioned the fair anew under the name VIRTUAL ART BOOK FAIR (VABF), andhosted the fair in an online virtual space in 2020.
With no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that it will be difficult
to host the fair this year in the same manner and scale as we have in the past. We findourselves in a world where there are no absolutes or right answers; at the TABF we havestruggled with this fact, all while engaging in countless discussions about how we can hostour fair in the midst of such uncertainty. Artists and creators in the art book world haveadapted to the pandemic – exploring different ways of creating different art books, zines, andother endeavors. It is our hope to do the same all while continuing the role we have played in
the past: to provide a platform where one can discover new art publications and uncover
new talent. To that end, we strive to realize our book fair in a style fitting to the situation wefind ourselves in now, in 2021.
For the 2021 rendition of the TABF, we will be hosting the fair at both an offline,
physical venue, and an online, virtual venue (hereafter referred to as Offline Venue andOnline Venue). The Offline Venue will be the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, where theTABF will open on Thursday, October 28th and draw to a close on Sunday, October 31st.
Preceding our offline festivities, we will be opening the TABF Online Venue on Friday,October 22 – and the Online Venue will similarly close on Sunday, October 31st.

At the Offline Venue, we will be hosting the fair at a reduced scale – limiting both thenumber of exhibitors and of visitors to the venue – while also taking precautions to preventthe spread of COVID-19. Although this year’s fair won’t be as lively or action-packed as
we’re all used to, fairgoers will get to view and interact with a veritable collection of different
art publications from within Japan and abroad in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. In addition
to an array of different exhibitor booths, guests will also be able to enjoy a variety of differentexhibitions. Among them is an exhibition of 58 posters by 2020Solidarity, a project launched byartist Wolfgang Tillmans’ non-profit organization Between Bridges; 2020Solidarity aims to provide
support to cultural and music venues, community projects, independent spaces, andpublications. Other endeavors include an exhibit drawing attention to domestic andinternational art books, zines, and other printed matters created during the COVID-19
pandemic.
At our Online Venue, we apply our experience in hosting the VABF in 2020 to realizea space where visitors can engage in direct communication with various exhibitors andpurchase art publications online; you’ll also be able to find a selection of art books and zines
by Online Venue exhibitors for exhibition and sale on our Offline Venue. We invite faircomers
to enjoy an all-new embodiment of the TABF, one that connects the offline and the onlineworlds.
OFFLINE VENUEEXHIBITIONSThe Offline Venue will be home to various exhibitions that draw attention to art publicationsin the post-COVID era, together with selected works by different exhibitors joining us in thisyear’s Online Venue.

2020Solidarity Posters
The spring of 2020 saw the onset of an unprecedented crisis, which dealt a harshblow to the world of art. In response, Between Bridges – a non-profit organization foundedby Wolfgang Tillmans – launched the 2020Solidarity project, dedicated to supporting
independent spaces, events, and publishers in the art and music scenes in the face of theCOVID pandemic. Over 50 artists have pledged their support to the project, including WilliamEggleston, Isa Genzken, Nicole Eisenman, Peter Hujar, Daido Moriyama, Gillian Wearing,Jeff Koons, Luc Tuymans, Thomas Ruff, Raymond Pettibon, and more. The artist collective
provided artworks for the project to use in creating a series of art posters, where 98 different
entities in 21 countries offered the posters for sale; proceeds were then donated to theparticipating spaces. The 2020Solidarity project ran from April 9 until August 10, 2020, anddrew participating entities from around the world: including POST, Utrecht, twelvebooks,
torch press, amala, IACK, clinic, daitokai, ASAKUSA, and LVBD BOOKS from Japan.
For this year’s TABF, we will be exhibiting the full 2020Solidarity poster collection,with a selection of posters available for sale to visitors. Fair-comers will also be able to readthrough various messages and testimonials provided by participating spaces and entities.

COVID “Positive”
Independent publishers and artists use their unique perspectives to reframe subject
matter that we are inclined to shirk away from; they posit content considered negative in apositive light, and turn our attention to things in our lives that we overlook. As we facecontinuous exposure to media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic through the news andsocial media, these players’ insights can reveal much to us. The COVID “Positive” exhibition
delves into speculation on the post-COVID world with different art books, and will feature
different publications and works revolving around the pandemic from across the world.
Works on display will include zines detailing the days of quarantine, art books of projects
seeking ways to enjoy life with COVID, photography collections centering around essential
workers, and more.

ONLINE / OFFLINE: ART BOOK VENDING MACHINEThe TABF began hosting Guest Country, a segment that focuses on the publishingculture of a certain country or region, annually onward from 2015. This year, however, we’re
doing things differently; with the onset of the pandemic, we are left with fewer opportunities
to view and interact with art books and zines from abroad. So instead of narrowing our sights
onto a particular region, we will instead be bringing together art publications from around theglobe. The Offline Venue at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo will also feature theART BOOK VENDING MACHINE (ABVM), a vast vending machine for art books, whileconcurrently exhibiting and selling art books and zines published onward from 2019 byOnline Venue exhibitors operating overseas.

ONLINE / OFFLINE: Online Exhibitors’ Library
At the Online Exhibitors’ Library, we will be exhibiting samples of art books and zines
published onward from 2019 by Japan-based Online Venue exhibitors. Find a book or zinethat catches your eye? Exhibited goods will be available for purchase at the Online Venue.

FAIR INFORMATION
Fair Period: October 28, 2021 (Thu.), 15:30-17:45 JSTOctober 29, October 30, October 31, 2021 (Fri.-Sun.),10:30 – 17:45 JST
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
Address: 〒135-0022 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Official Homepage: https://tokyoartbookfair.com/Entrance Fee: General Admission – 1,000 yen (tax included) *Must be purchased inadvance. Tickets are each assigned set time slots 2 hours and 15 minute in length, within
which time guests can enter the venue respective to their tickets.
● Tickets not subject to discount via coupon/discount codes or for MOT annual passholders.
● Persons with a Physical Disability Certificate, Intellectual Disability Certificate,Intellectual Disability Welfare Certificate, or Atomic Bomb Survivor Welfare Certificate
as well as up to two attendants are admitted free of charge.
● For every adult, up to 2 children under elementary school age are admitted free ofcharge. No reservation is required.
Offline Venue Ticket Reservation Portal: https://bit.ly/3lImqWs
Sales Period
Monday, October 4, 2021 12:00 PM JST ~ 30 minutes before the end of the ticket’s
respective time bracket*Each 2 hour-15 minute time slot has a maximum capacity of 300 people.
*Sales of tickets for a certain time slot will end should we reach maximum capacity for thattime bracket.
■ Important Information Regarding Offline Venue (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo)
Tickets
Tickets are each assigned time-slots – you must select what time you intend to visit thevenue and will be able to enter the fair during the time assigned to your ticket. Please notethe specified entrance time slot prior to purchase. Guests will be entering and exiting on
rotation by time slot, meaning that the maximum length of time you will be able to stay within
the Offline Venue will be 2 hours and 15 minutes. You can enter the venue any time during
the time slot specified on your ticket, but you will be required to exit the venue by the end ofyour respective time slot. We are taking every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19
at the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR 2021 – we appreciate your understanding and support inmaking this year’s fair safe and enjoyable for all.
*The TABF may make changes to the below guidelines, cancel the event, or take other appropriate
action depending on COVID-19 conditions, or to comply with restrictions and/or changes in event

guidelines as issued by relevant government entities. We will publish any announcements and updates
on our homepage, our social media pages, and other outlets.
*We may refuse entry into the venue or ask guests to vacate the venue should visitors refuse to follow
relevant event guidelines or if we are unable to guarantee the safety of other participants.
ONLINE VENUE*Image for illustrative purposes only

The Online Venue will be home to approximately 260 different exhibitors from both
Japan and abroad. When a faircomer enters the online venue space, the first thing to cometo view will be a variety of root vegetables, peeking out from the ground. There are six
vegetable icons in all – entitled Potato, Carrot, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, and Radish – which
represent the different zones of the Online Venue. When clicking on an icon of yourchoosing, the vegetable you clicked will pop out of the ground and you’ll be taken to therespective exhibitor zone. Within each zone, you’ll find a lineup of booths by nearly fifty
different exhibitors.

¶The Online Venue unfolds in a 3D space with a vibe distinctive from what one mayfind at the Offline Venue. Exhibitor booths line up in a style reminiscent of unmannedroadside farmer stands selling fresh produce – a welcome message from each exhibitor
comes into view when you visit their booth. In the Offline Venue, visitors can take their timestrolling through the venue, letting their eyes wander over the different tables; the Online
Venue provides a similar experience, letting users slide through the venue screen while
effortlessly getting a glimpse of neighboring booths. The venue space also features searchfunctionality and a Favorite/Bookmark function, providing a unique experience entirely
different from that of an in-person venue.

The Online Venue also provides individual pages for each exhibitor, where users cansee an enlarged version of the table and wallspace visible in the 3D Venue space. Clicking
on the art books and zines on display in the images calls up information on each item’s
description, detailed data, pricing, and more. Should you want to buy a certain item, you cantransition from the exhibitor’s TABF page to their respective e-Commerce site and make yourpurchase directly from there.
The exhibitor page additionally features a CONTACT section, where users can find amessaging or calling option that they can employ to engage in direct communication withexhibitors. Exhibitors decide which communication tools to use; but while methods may not
be uniform for all booths, users can generally get into contact with exhibitors via video
meeting such as Google Meets or Zoom, or an online bulletin board where users can post
messages. The exhibitor page also features the Stockist section, where faircomers can see
which book sellers and outlets sell wares by the exhibitor. Want to see an exhibitor’s booksin person but can’t make your way out to the Offline Venue? Take a look at the Stockist
section – you may find that the book you’re looking for is at a shop or bookstore near you.
Whether online or offline, the TABF hopes to connect you with the magic of art books.

*The Online Venue wireframe is specially available for viewing at the below URL. We invite
you to read our press release while getting a glimpse at how the Online Venue will look.
Sharing the below links at a public scale via social media etc. is strictly prohibited.

・Desktop Link: https://tinyurl.com/jjcfs9h4
・Smartphone Link: https://tinyurl.com/rfakubhh*The finalized website will differ from the wireframe at certain parts.
*Exhibitors are strictly forbidden from distributing the above link to the public.
THE TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR ON ZOZOVILLA
A selection of wares by overseas exhibitors at the Online Venue will be available forpurchase on the online shopping portal ZOZOTOWN. Hosting the VIRTUAL ART BOOKFAIR in 2020, we realized that a number of hurdles made it difficult to connect fair visitorswith overseas exhibitors – whether it be differences in time zone, language, or processes.
This year we have set up a special TABF page on ZOZOTOWN, where Japan-based
fair-comers can purchase art books by overseas exhibitors with much greater ease.

FAIR INFORMATION
Online Venue
Fair Period: Friday, October 22 - Sunday, October 31 2021
Venue Link: https://tokyoartbookfair.com
Core Time: 10:30 - 18:00 JST*Core Time refers to the hours in which fair visitors can interact directly with Online Venue
exhibitors in real time.
Entrance Fee: Free

Event Hosts, Organizers and Supporters
Offline Venue● Exhibition Area Organizers: The Tokyo Art Book Fair, Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture● Exhibitor Booth Area Organizers: The Tokyo Art Book Fair / Special Assistance fromthe Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundationfor History and Culture
Online Venue Organizers: The Tokyo Art Book Fair/ Special Assistance from the Museum ofContemporary Art Tokyo operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture
Sponsorship provided by inuuniq Co., Ltd., Shiba Park HotelSupport provided under the auspices of the Agency Cultural Affairs’ “ARTS for the future!”programSpecial assistance provided by ZOZO, Inc, ArtSticker (The Chain Museum Inc.)