WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Courtesy of Dream Press
We chat to Candice Ježek, the founder of Dream Press – a small, independent publishing studio in Cape Town that specialises in design, bookbinding and printed matter in general.
What is Dream Press all about?
Dream Press is an independent publishing studio that specialises in risograph printing and bookbinding. We promote and facilitate the production of self-published artist books and zines, while also printing artwork editions for designers, artists and illustrators. This year, Dream Press has also become a micro-publisher – we invite creatives to make a limited- edition zine or artist book in collaboration with us, and take these publications to book fairs and stores around the world. Our first fair was the New York Printed Matter Virtual Art Book Fair in February, where we launched eight publications. We are proud that a few editions were purchased by the main library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and will form part of its collection.
How did the publishing studio come into being?
The idea for Dream Press has always been at the back of my mind. After graduating from Michaelis School of Fine Art, I knew that I wanted to work with artists – and that I wanted to make beautiful things at the same time. I aimed to do something very different from the norm; this was fuelled by my love for printed matter, books and zines, materials and processes, and resulted in a space where the book arts could be designed, printed, bound and celebrated. I decided to include risograph printing in the studio’s services because it offers a unique alternative to digital printing and encourages more experimental publications.
Dream Press grew organically from these passions. I continue to learn as the years go by – there’s nothing quite like “learning on the job”!
Which publications have stood out for you?
I don’t really have a personal favourite, because every book has been unique in its own way… Antenna by Jean de Wet was the first book we ever published – it’s incredibly tactile and beautiful. Die Binnekamer / The Inner Room by Octavia Roodt is an autobiographical comic of a strange lucid dream, an otherworldly glimpse into the mind of an extraordinary artist. And Ukuzilanda by Lunga Ntila is our most elaborate publication to date, with a conceptually engaging mirror cover – the artist makes you look at the many fractions of herself, then turns it on you, forcing you to look inwards. You can see our website for more.
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