Highlights From PMF VIII

BALTIMORE – The 8th Publications and Multiples Fair wrapped up Sunday at the Baltimore Design School, and as always, was awesome. The fair, organized by art collective Open Space, features DIY publishers, independent artists, and all manner of great weird stuff. Notably, it seemed this year had less “traditional” fares such as zines or screenprints and more odd small objects. With hundreds of surprisingly affordable vendors from across the nation, it’s always a serious challenge to not go on a mega-art-shopping spree.

Here’s a sampling of what I wish I had bought:

JEDICOM

JEDICOM (AKA Johnny Rogers) had a glitched-out table full of pop-culture-sampling DVDs, prints, and even VHS tapes. The spread included merch from Roger’s knockoff-heavy pop-up Pyongyang Apple Store and more. The $3 memes, including “All Dogs Go to Nothing with Christopher Hitchens” were a hit.

Christopher Mahonski

Christopher Mahonski’s beguilingly minimal presentation exemplified this year’s shift away from traditional print media. Here’s a pegboard full of odd found and handmade ephemera.

Phaan Howng, Kyle Kogut, and Elliot Doughtie

AFC readers might remember Phaan Howng’s giant dayglo mutant dick sculpture from Strange Genitals. Remarkably, these delicate screenprints couldn’t be more different while still totally feeling like they’re from the same world.

Make U Smile (Beki Basch, Brian Hagermann, and Thane Lund)

Thane Lund at Make U Smile

Thane Lund’s “Tinder Skyfall” book was one of the most unexpectedly moving pieces in the fair. Lund has sourced hundreds of photos of skydivers from Tinder profiles, compiled, and printed them into a lovely object. Of all the dating-app-art out there, this sticks. There’s something romantic or maybe sad about the fact that there are all these lonely skydivers hurtling toward the ground, sometimes together, but so often alone.

Smiley-face ceramics from Olivia Gibb.

GLOOMY

Maude Kasperzak’s NBA jerseys, where the players have been given hand-beaded bikinis.

Embroidered still lives by Allie Lin

Baltimore Design School high school students had their own booth, the highlight of which were hand-painted jackets and sequin appliques by Sharnice K. Their spread totally held its own in the fair. 

Someone also gifted me this “POST-GOTH” pin that is the best, but I promise I won’t wear until after our Goth Opera benefit party.

Tagged as: Allie Lin, baltimore, Baltimore Design School, Beki Basch, Brian Hagermann, Christopher Mahonski, Elliot Doughtie, GLOOMY, JEDICOM, Johnny Rogers, Kyle Kogut, Make ü Smile, Maude Kasperzak, Open Space, Phaan Howng, PMF, PMFVIII, Publications and Multiples Fair, Sharnice K., Thane Lund, Tinder Skyfall