Books Bologna Art Books Festival: Interview with Curator Danilo Montanari

In 2023, Danilo Montanari, a publisher from Ravenna, co-founded the BOOKS | Bologna art books festival with Lorenzo Balbi, drawing in more than 3,000 attendees. He differentiates between artist books and illustrated volumes, noting their roots in the mid-1960s. This year's festival celebrates Conceptual and Minimalist artists, including Vincenzo Agnetti, Giovanni Anselmo, Alighiero Boetti, and Ketty La Rocca. Notable international participants are SimmsReed, Idea Books, and Hawaiana Books, along with thirty premier Italian bookstores. Key features include Agata Boetti Editions, Anselmo's 'Leggere', a rare 1976 piece by La Rocca, and a collection of Andrea Pazienza's works. Discussions will include speakers like Luca Cerizza, Vincenzo Sparagna, and Enea Righi. Montanari criticizes major publishers for insufficient research, while praising smaller digital publishers for enhancing accessibility.