Hello Everyone,
I promised an AI deep dive, but I got hooked on another issue—the female gaze, this time in the context of stationary bookselling. My consistent observations strengthen my point, prompting a shorter piece. In our content-overloaded lives, I respect your limited attention span. It's not about AI, but AI and offline culture may play a role in the changing landscape of analog markets—those real stores we used to enjoy. A challenge in today's time-starved and lazy culture, possibly another fallout of lockdowns and new habits.
I'm exploring the evolving book market, observing the impact of Amazon and online sellers on book culture. Bookstores and libraries, particularly in the German market, have transformed into cultural entities, not just businesses. Many receive state support, acknowledging the challenge of competing with online giants. These places act as unique spaces introducing customers to less mainstream, independent publishers and authors. Bookstore owners, acting as courageous curators, prioritize non-conformity and originality in discourse. They avoid catering to what's easy, obvious, and popular, fostering an environment that encourages discoveries. This approach is especially valuable for introducing works with fewer resources for extensive marketing and promotion.
Moreover, they often collaborate with esteemed galleries and museums that aim to change the discourse. However, my observation suggests that despite providing opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as People of Color or female artists, to gain exposure to a wider audience, it has a limited impact on the collector market. These efforts may seem like trends, shifting from one group to another each year, with the real market showing little substantial improvement in the statistics.
This sentiment was reinforced during my participation in Paris Photo, where a special prize for female photographers was offered. However, in the main collector area, it felt like nobody cared. Helmut Newton's presence was notably dominant, and while some argue that he photographed strong women, I align more with Jörg Colberg's perspective on how male-centric his capturing was. Moreover, it feels like a fantasy of conquering objects of desire. We might start by noting that obviously, women are not objects. They’re human beings. To me, it feels completely wrong to present women as objects in 2023.
I believe that organizing special female awards and feminist exhibitions doesn’t change the status quo and serves more of a PR function, akin to greenwashing. The top of the hierarchy does not regulate the neoliberal and highly speculative world of art. There is a lack of avant-garde, originality, and even Guerrilla Girls' efforts fall short. Sadly, this is disappointing because their work is brilliant and my favorite form of activist propaganda.
The power dynamics between sellers and buyers raise questions about who holds the influence. When seeking solutions or voicing concerns, who should we address? The challenge is compounded by the perception that females are not taken seriously, gaslit, and often seen as bitchy complainers. There's a prevailing notion that there has never been a genius woman, influenced by arguments of the male variability hypothesis endorsed by figures like Steven Pinker, the renowned psychologist associated with Jeffrey Epstein (Google it). So, whom do we approach for meaningful discussions and change?
The creation of my book was a collaborative effort, spanning 13 years and involving contributions from many individuals. Being awarded two challenging grants, along with recognition from prestigious institutions, Stiftung Kunstfonds and the Berlin Senate for Culture and Europe, played a crucial role in bringing the project to life. While acknowledging the privilege of funding, it was fairly earned and signifies institutional approval of the work's quality.
14 years of single motherhood,
11 years of immigration
5 years of abusive relationship
2 years of corona
13 years of working on the project
And I don’t know how many sleepless nights but I made it!
The Selection of photos from hundreds of negatives,
illustrations and family archive, 2 texts in 4 languages,
All in a meticulously designed only 1 book!
Some people say I have my head in the clouds.
For me, it’s all true. Live your fantasy and do not let illusions trick you!
Published by a notable French publisher André Frère with Martin Parr in their portfolio, he risked his established name to champion originality in a male-gaze-dominated visual field, recognizing the project's worth. The book, with top-level production from one of the best print houses MasMatbaa, became a bestseller at Arles, leading to invitations for artist talks at Paris Photo. Despite primarily online distribution, the book performs well in French bookstores. Its meticulous production impresses booklovers, highlighting its uniqueness. Yet, One challenge I overcame; now, selling in “progressive’ Berlin seems to be another hardship that appears beyond the range of my control or power.
I wanted to create something beautiful that lasts longer than an online post. Therefore, I am trying to figure out how to bring it offline to the people. The online space is noisy, and it is challenging to convey the uniqueness of the book amid the visual noise we encounter daily. We have a weak attention span and are overloaded with overproduced low-quality items, making it difficult to filter out something good from the (visual) noise. Hence, I wanted to take care of my local, Berlin distribution, and despite being time-consuming, I offered to visit and show my book in bookstores that managed to survive, some of them only because of the state’s support.
I'm working to promote my book, not just because of the immense effort invested in bringing it to light, but also because it would be a waste if it remained in the warehouse. Notably, I haven't overproduced; there are only 800 copies made. Considering the prevalence of overpriced, low-quality items in the grand scheme of capitalist production, that's not a large quantity. I believe it's crucial to transparently discuss pricing and selling for artists—shedding light on the meager earnings they often receive for their hard work. Despite overcoming shyness and societal challenges as a woman, the pressure of self-marketing remains daunting. While I've tackled personal barriers, competing with big players and algorithms is a different challenge.
Despite my book's success and recognition, I faced rejection from a popular photo bookstore in Berlin, even though they are currently showcasing top feminist artists in their gallery. I asked for a brief meeting to present my book and sought feedback, investing a minimum of 2 hours for me, compared to possibly 15 minutes for them. While it was a better response than being ghosted by two other major sellers (one of them should supposedly have it in their offer through our dealer), the explanation I received was simply a lack of capacity.
I'm making an effort not to take it personally, but the feedback is unsatisfying. I even proposed relocating my overworked and underpaid self to make it convenient for them. I emphasized that I am a local artist who produced a book with funding that only a few artists have been selected to receive—a guarantee of the quality of work. I'm not trying to sell that book just because I am a woman. I am trying to convey that it's harder to sell it because I do not possess male privilege. As a mid-40s emergent artist, I couldn't expedite my journey. Quality mattered to me, and I wanted my voice to be clear, albeit not as comprehensive as the dominant male narrative.
I've come to realize that having a small, dedicated audience is more valuable than a large one. Quick growth often involves simplifying oneself, switching to logos, and following trends rather than challenging mainstream discourse. While I don't judge high-growth accounts and huge names, it's not ideal for an independent artist like me. Real people and thinking are complicated and impossible to fake. I create to express and cultivate myself, seeking truth and integrating it with my life. Unlike high-growth strategies, figuring out what is worth sharing with a deeper reflection and developing a unique language free from dominant influences is a slower process but more genuine. The game of long-term cultural impact differs from quantitative audience-building. I don't claim to be winning, but it's a game worth playing. Arts and Letters' ultimate game isn't strongly correlated with fame and wealth in one's lifetime.
I don't bother chasing disinterested individuals, but I seek transparent criteria for acceptance. Despite my efforts, I feel whatever I do is not enough. It's a common struggle for ambitious women aiming for the status of a mediocre man. I wonder if the barrier is the lack of an established name, social media followers, or awards. Despite my book's genuine complexity, I persist in explaining its political significance, representing the female gaze and amplifying unheard female voices.
So, what are the criteria? I asked and couldn't get an answer.
I understand the volume of inquiries, and it's still part of your job to show minimum respect to artists who struggle a lot to bring their ideas to light. This is not just being capricious; it's seriously hard work. To streamline communication, consider attaching clear guidelines on your website and channels that will help us follow your fair criteria. These could also include a political statement on supporting those in less privileged perspectives. Instead of sticking another rainbow flag to your vitrine, make a more transparent effort to support less visible local artists.
Berlin Calling! After the unfortunate closure of A.P. at the end of 2023, I'm excited to share that my book is now available at Buchbund, a Polish-German bookstore in the heart of Kreuzkolln.
Additionally, I'll give a personal presentation offering the chance to purchase the book directly from me with my signature at Polyrama. Check out the upcoming inclusive event on 21.02.2024 at 6 PM, open to everyone, where I'll be discussing the book, breaking stereotypes, and female desire. Join us for an engaging discussion and an exclusive femmes circle afterward. Looking forward to seeing you there!
HERE MY MANIFESTO
