#papersafe

It is time for Papersafe to come to an end.

Since the outset of this project in 2014, we knew we wanted it to have a limited lifespan and we feel as if four years and nine issues is a good ending point for our humble photography journal. Our recent participation at the Vancouver Art Book Fair–as invited speakers and exhibitors–was an incredible honor and we are happy to go out on such a high note. (You can view our talk and slideshow here: https://vimeo.com/240854447). While we could continue publishing Papersafe, ending it is an intentional choice, one that we’re content with making. It is better to burn out than fade away.

We are grateful to all of those who have supported us along the way, thankful to all of the photographers and writers (120 to be exact) who allowed us to publish their work, indebted to the guest editors (Carl Gunhouse, Jaclyn Wright, Elle Perez, Caitie Moore, Paolo Morales, Vivian Ewing) who generously donated their time and creative and mental energy to the publication, and honored to have been able to participate in a number of book fairs around the country (and in Canada!). A special thank you is in order to our Copy Editor and Photo Researcher, Annie Sollinger, who carefully combed through each issue before printing, assisted our writers, and helped us craft and realize our mission. There is no money in books, and even less in small-run magazine publishing, so it should go without saying that Papersafe was a labor of love.

All of our past issues are sold out. However, we have about 25 copies left of our most recent issue, Other Eden, which you can order here: http://www.catlabs.info/produ…/papersafe-issue-09-other-eden.

Papersafe’s publisher and distributor, CatLABS of JP, will now be putting their resources and support behind a few new and exciting photography publications – She Shoots Film and PRYME Editions to name a few. If you're working on or publishing an analog-only project, don't hesitate to reach out to CatLABS of JP for support and/or promotion. We're always excited to learn about new projects, especially if they align with Papersafe's mission of promoting diversity and inclusion within the world of photography and small press publishing.

This page will remain live for the time being, but please address any questions and comments to us directly at [email protected] and [email protected].

Issue #09: Other Eden Created in collaboration with Vivian Ewing October 2017 8.5"x11", 100 pages, digital offset printing on 80# and 100# stock, perfect bound, with slipcover. Printed and bound in New Hampshire. Edition of 75. $30 USD – click here to purchase

Past contributor Vivian Ewing approached us earlier this year wanting to curate an issue. We discussed a few of her ideas, and finally settled on the theme of “Other Eden.” The theme was designed to consider how people create ideal worlds and spaces when the outside world looks grim. This idea was partly sparked by the 2017 US presidential election, but the issue’s theme and inspiration are not limited to those recent events alone. In fact, this idea goes back much further and is tied to the systemic oppression of many people, from all over the world, throughout history. In other words: this is nothing new.

The issue brings together the work of twelve photographers and writers to examine the idea of this other Eden, and what it might look or feel like, from the point of view of the person living in it or creating it.

Vivian writes: Throughout human history, people have moved inside themselves to create spaces that have the beauty, safety or freedom that the outside world lacks. Many artists and writers create new landscapes in which to live and those who face the most hardships sometimes offer the most exciting alternatives. These visions of paradise come in endless forms: from fantastical gardens, to particular faces, to cities and towns that feel somehow familiar. The result is often achingly beautiful; within the ache is a reminder of why it was needed.

We are excited to announce that our 9th issue, Other Eden, will be edited by past Papersafe contributor Vivian Ewing, and will be released in October at the 2017 Vancouver Art Book Fair. We are currently seeking film-based submissions in response to the following prompt.

Vivian writes: Throughout human history, people have moved inside themselves to create spaces that have the beauty, safety, or freedom that the outside world lacks. Many artists and writers have created and continue to create new landscapes in which to live, but those who face the most strife sometimes offer the most exciting alternatives. These visions of paradise come in endless forms: from fantastical gardens, to a particular face, to cities and towns that feel somehow familiar. The result is often achingly beautiful; in the ache is a reminder of why it was needed.

The deadline for submissions is June 22, 2017.

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS Images All images must be film-base or created with an analog process. Submit up to 10 images, approximately 8”x10” at 300dpi, in RGB mode, in JPG or TIFF format. File Naming lastname_firstname_01.jpg, lastname_firstname_02.jpg, and so on. Additional Information Artist statement and/or titles (if applicable). Artist bio, 100 words or less, written in the third person. Website URL.

Compress all material into a folder and send via email, Google Drive, or WeTransfer to [email protected] no later than 11:59pm on June 22. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Issue #08: Close Distance Created in collaboration with Paolo Morales March 2017 5.5"x8.5", 150 pages, full color digital offset printing on 80# and 100# uncoated stock, plastic coil bound, comes with a 5"x7" postcard print. Printed and bound in New Hampshire. Edition of 75 $28 (Free US shipping until 3/11/17) First 25 orders come with a signed 8.5"x11" print from Vivian Fu!

Photographs by: Sophie Barbasch Jesse Chan Sebastian Collett Tenzing Dakpa Vivian Fu Rachel Jump Lilly McElroy Claudio Nolasco Hannah Price Steven B. Smith Ka-Man Tse Jo Ann Walters Matt Williams

Edited by past Papersafe contributor Paolo Morales, this issue is our largest yet at 150 pages. Paolo approached us a year ago with the idea of editing an issue around the idea of what intimacy looks like in photographs. It’s a simple idea, however, Paolo’s selection of photographs and photographers goes beyond the obvious, and examines the idea of intimacy in ways which we were not expecting. He has curated a body of photographs in this issue that allows us to view and understand intimacy on myriad levels from a range of perspectives: from Ka-Man Tse photographing the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong, to Hannah Price’s photographs of the men who catcalled her on the streets of Philadelphia, to Vivian Fu’s diaristic images of intimate moments with her partner.

COMING SOON! :D

Issue #08: Close Distance Edited by Paolo Morales Coming February/March 2017