Performative photobook

Photobooks are considered mainly as carriers for photographic images where design, editing and sequencing are the main elements influencing the reading. In my presentation I would like to focus on the performative qualities of the photobook both on the stage of its creation and interaction with it by the viewer. This performative aspect starts from holding the book in your hands and flipping the pages but can be extended, modulated, and conceptualized. I will present examples of books that invite viewers to different modes of engagement that together with its photographic content creates a new way of reading.

Before joining Fotofestiwal, Franek Ammer co-founded TIFF International Photography Festival. He devoted a large part of his work to bringing up aspects related to the photobooks and popularizing them in Poland. This interest resulted in several exhibitions, lectures and cooperation with prominent figures from the world of photography and the publishing scene of photobooks. In the Fotofestiwal collective he is responsible for the festival program, coordination of exhibitions, events and photobook section.