Back in 2006 when Printed Matter established the first ever Printed Matter Art Book Fair it was a gathering of like-minded artists and bookmakers to distribute their work, expand their networks and meet other print-lovers. Now, eighteen years later, the Art Book Fair feels more radical than ever. In an era where print is becoming more and more disregarded as a method of disseminating information, the ABF is an oasis.

If you’re in New York this weekend, do not miss a chance to stop by 548 West and experience everything the world of artists’ books has to offer. But, of course, we’d never just let you go without a handy HERO guide, come on! Here’s what we think you shouldn’t miss.

Opening Night party with Women’s History Museum

The Art Book Fair has teamed up with the radical New York fashion brand Women’s History Museum for an opening night to remember. Women’s History Museum’s insane NYFW show last season (one of the best on the schedule) displayed their utterly unique out-there-ness and this party is likely to be much the same. Joining the brand will be Embaci, LYDO, and Raymond Pinto who will provide music and each ticket bought for the opening night will include a limited-edition artwork by Women’s History Museum. It’ll be the place to be in New York this Thursday night.

Top Stories at Printed Matter
The legendary zine Top Stories ran from 1978 to 1991 and is often looked back on as one of the most important and radical prose periodicals of its time in New York City. Under the editorship of Anne Turyn, the zine sought to publish experimental fiction by woman authors and saw contributions from Cookie Mueller, Jenny Holzer, Pati Hill, Kathy Acker, Constance DeJong, Laurie Anderson, and Lynne Tillman. Over the weekend at the Printed Matter store, a series of artwork, ephemera, and behind-the-scenes photos will offer a rare glimpse into the legend that was Top Stories.

Toby Mott launches his final Dictators book
The final book in Toby Mott’s Dictators series of art books will be launched on Friday night at the Printed Matter booth. Following on from the first two books, Dictator Banknotes and Dictator Postage Stamps, which collected genuine banknotes and postage stamps from dictatorial reigns and displayed them inside plastic windows in each limited edition book, Mott’s latest work Dictator Coins collects real coins from dictatorships from the 4th Century Roman Empire into the 21st Century. Given Mott’s use of genuine artefacts for each book, only 30 copies of Dictator Coins exist, so you’ll have to be quick!

Meet the legendary photographer Stephen Shore
If you head to the MACK/SPBH Editions booth on Saturday you’ll have a chance to meet and greet a whole host of legendary names — Teju Cole, Justine Kurland and even Stephen Shore. Starting his career as a kid taking pictures in Warhol’s Factory (his book of these images, The Velvet Years, with text by Lynne Tillman is a must-own), Shore went on to become a pioneering American photographer thanks to the images collected in his book, American Surfaces, which documented small-town America in a purposefully colourful and matter-of-fact way, a stark rejection of the black-and-white photography that was popular at the time.

Join the Block Party!!
On Saturday, between 12 and 6, there will be food, music, performances, workshops, activities, and more at the Book Fair. The Block Party Stage will feature a sound bath, boisterous DJ sets, nu-metal jazz, and percussive performances. There will even be an impromptu wrestling match from the Game Changer Wrestlers Effy, Allie Katch, Joey Janela, and Jimmy Lloyd, all of whom are featured in VISITORS by Nick Karp.

See the full programme for Printed Matter’s New York Art Book Fair here