Meet the Publisher - Bokeh Editions

What made you first want to start publishing books?

I have a background in literature, as an author. Over the last 20 years, I have written several books, mainly non-fiction prose and essays, as well as Finnish translations from French and English. These books have been conventionally published by literary publishers.

At some point I just realized that a typical literary work by a Finnish author nowadays has a circulation of a few hundred copies. Some even less – a hundred copies actually sold (and not just thrown around) for a book of poetry is just fine. A thousand copies is a success, if not a ”best-seller”. These are the facts. The numbers are this small. So, where is the need for a publishing house with a staff, and an industrial-scale printing press? I decided I can make the books myself at my office, and grabbed two discarded office copiers plus some other machines, and started printing and publishing.

My editions are always limited and numbered, but not because I want them to be ”rare”, but because I think everything on this planet is actually ”limited” and two hundred copies is quite enough for the book-loving public’s interest. For the past ten years, before I started Bokeh Editions, I have also made and self-published several traditional artist’s books of my own, in very small editions. For this, I acquired some basic book-binding skills. I want to work with my hands, and I want to oversee the whole artistic process. So, these two practices came together, and Bokeh was born.

How important are ideas of collecting to the publishing industry?

I think they are not important at all, in the present situation where mainstream publishing is going all digital (audio books, online content etc.). But I guess collecting books will be one of the "next big things". The next wave of bibliophilia is already well under way, hopefully.

Are all books art objects? When does book making become an art form?

No, "art" is something you have to deliberately put into a book if you want it to be there. A book, as such, is just a device for mass communication. But it has its own characteristics and its specific possibilities, and these are always under scrutiny when books are made into art.

Do you think that books belong in museums? If so why, if not why not?

Not naturally, because books need to be touched and carried along. But of course, very rare or fragile books belong to museums. And art institutions should be more active in purchasing contemporary art works in the form of a book.

Have there been particular books that had a big impact on you in terms of the way you approach book-making/publishing?

I have never actually seen a copy of Ed Ruscha’s classic 60s works: 26 Gasoline Stations and Every Building on the Sunset Strip. Probably I don’t ever need to. They remain an inspiration and a model. Even though the print runs were large, they always proudly remained artistic artefacts, cleverly questioning the concept of a "book" and what it is supposed to "contain".

Do you collect books? What sort of books interest you most?

Not naturally, because books need to be touched and carried along. But of course, very rare or fragile books belong to museums. And art institutions should be more active in purchasing contemporary art works in the form of a book.