Ash WeiPRINTED ON DEMANDA book is a time-bound experience with both linear and non-linear narratives. Reading intertwines with the environment and current mood. Revisiting an old book brings memories flooding back, blending with new surroundings and mood. A book holds its own story as well as readers’ paralleled narratives.
[Self-publication] refers to the act of a creator independently publishing their work without the involvement of a traditional publishing house. [It ] is a playground. [It ] pushes boundaries, experimenting with content, layouts, typography, and colors. [It ] is a method of breaking free from the grip of consumerism and capitalism, allowing creators to dive into topics they're truly passionate about and reclaim ownership of their work.
[It ]
reaffirms designers' interests.
[It ]
reassures designers that their creativity has a home beyond client briefs and corporate constraints.
[It ]
celebrates voices that go unheard in mainstream discourse.
[It ] is a manifesto, a bold rebellion, where creators announce their assertions in the form of a book.
[It ]
is a handshake, connecting individuals who share common aspirations.
[It ]
is a confession.
[It ]
is free.
[It ]
is confident.
[It ]
is urgent.
[It ]
is fun.
Through dialogues with self-publishers, book artists, co-founders of
bookshops and art spaces, and organizers of art book fairs; through par
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ticipation in workshops with designers and the general public alongside
personal journeys exploring the artistic potential of books as a medium
of expression, Printed on Demand endeavors to carve out a distinct
perspective within the vast landscape of self-publishing. It aims to offer
glimpses into its expansive realms encompassing art, design, economics,
politics, and humanities. Printed on Demand is developed in two direc
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tions: self-publishing for me and self-publishing for us. Self-publishing,
akin to printing on demand, serves as a conduit for fulfilling the demands
of both creators and readers, facilitating a symbiotic relationship between
personal expression and societal engagement.
Fungi in Massachusetts, 2023.
Printed
booklet, 8½ × 5½ × ⅝ in.Process Book, 2023.
Printed booklet,
11 × 8½ × ¾ in.Fungi in New Jersey, 2024.
Printed
booklet, 8½ × 5½ × ⅝ in.Montage Display, 2023.
Type specimen,
8¼ × 5¼ × ¼ in.Breaking the Mold: Typography, Design,
and Subversion, 2023. Printed book,
8½ × 5½ × ⅝ in.