A Book Affair at Radio Athènes

‘A Book Affair’ is a term used to describe a situation in which one is reading a short, casual, fun book, while attempting to read a much longer, more complex book. In this spirit, we are creating a temporary library/stage which will be open to the public for a run of several months (May–November 2018). During this period, we will invite Greek and international publishers, authors, editors and artists to present their work via lectures, talks, performances and book signings. The selection spans art, theory, fashion, literature, psychoanalysis, architecture and design, a mix of fun books and more complex reading.

Approached as a performance unfolding over a five-month period, A Book Affair consists of lecture performances, visual interventions, discussions, book presentations, readings and live music. The link between editors, artists, publishers, writers, choreographers and theorists involved in A Book Affair is contemporary art and reading as a state/activity that involves not only the mind but also the body in creating meaning and a new poetics. Reading as a methodological and transformational bridge.

A Book Affair is an experiment that approaches the library as a space of inter-textuality, creation, un-creation and recreation – to borrow concepts that Michel Foucault evokes in his essay Fantasia of the Library (1977). Local audiences and invited guests can exchange ideas, information and have access to one of the oldest forms of pleasure: books.

The presentations/events will take place in the library and auditorium of the Goethe-Institut, the auditorium of the Benaki Museum and at Radio Athènes, which has been transformed by Berlin-based architect Etienne Descloux into a ‘stage’ as well as a ‘vessel’ for the collection of objects, books and works of art that will be presented as the project evolves – sometimes in surprising locations in the city – depending on the format each participant chooses. An organic part of A Book Affair will be the Radio Athènes library that includes titles selected by artists and collaborators over the last three years. The full programme is available at www.radioathenes.org.

From the UK, we have invited:

• Real Review – Jack Self
• Fitzcarraldo Editions – Jacques Testard and Patrick Langley
• AA Files

A Book Affair #12

Join us for a conversation between Fitzcarraldo Editions publisher Jacques Testard and Patrick Langley about his debut novel Arkady. The discussion is open to the public.

The programme is part of Athens 2018 – World Book Capital.