Whut Glamour: Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair

Dear Printed Matter,

I first fell in love with you when Buzz Spector, my book-art-obsessed college professor, introduced me to you sophomore year. Now no trip to New York is complete without a visit to your Chelsea store (which, uncoincidentally, is around the corner from my old apartment on 21st street). Thus, I was delighted to hear about the LA Art Book Fair you hosted over the weekend at the Geffen Contemporary. The fair itself was exhausting, a giant space filled with tiny, fascinating objects from limited edition books to handmade zines and weird art t-shirts. But still totally worth a look.

There was a sizable Queer Zine section, which made me laugh because the whole place felt like the queer zine section. Lots of gay books all over the place. In other homosexual news, I saw Jake Shears (from Scissor Sisters) there and he is just as adorable in real life as he is in your dreams. In case you forgot, Jake Shears looks like this:

He was, however, wearing clothing at the book fair. Sadly. Unlike these guys:

I kind of want a t-shirt that says “I’d rather be reading.” Like, as a joke.

I’m actually very into this color blocking around these framed photos, I would totally do this in a home space. Also, this particular color of blush pink speaks to me. I’ve been seeing it all over and I kind of want to paint a room that color.

The fair was overwhelming because there were so many beautiful, interesting books to ogle. The Geffen is a large space, so my eyes were practically popping out of my head as I wandered from room to room, trying to take it all in.

How much do you want that Acid Rain balloon? Like to give to a little kid who doesn’t know how to read yet…

A friend of mine named Jimmy. Who has a magazine called Jimmy.

Another friend of mine, John Parot, made these beautiful glossy zines with pretty boys and pretty interiors.

I kind of want to do that crazy postcard gallery wall somewhere in my apartment.

I was obsessed with everything at the Hell To Pay table, much of which can be purchased online (hint hint!).

I snagged a zine from the Sensitive Boys booth, because, you know, duh.

Anyone who knows me and my fun body dysmorphia knows why I had to have this t-shirt.

The Art Book Fair will be back next year. Until then, I will be remembering this one warmly. All those books I fondled. All those Gay zines I stared at. All those art-people wearing art-fashions. Truly heaven on earth.

Love,
Orlando