Press Play is as defiant of categorization as its venue, Pioneer Works, Red Hook, Brooklyn’s prolific multidisciplinary arts and sciences center. Though grounded in the spirit of a book fair, the week-long cultural occasion assembles authors and artists, musicians and poets, to exhibit and to engage with attendees through a roster of free programming. This fifth edition welcomed more than 5,000 visitors, but partnerships with organizations like Columbia University’s student-run WKCR radio station extended their reach even further.
Pioneer Works artistic director Gabriel Florenz initially founded Press Play as a gathering of DIY publishers, small presses, and zine makers. Under the direction of Josh Jelly-Schapiro, Pioneer Works Director of Publishing and the co-Editor-in-Chief of Broadcast, and Micaela Durand, Associate Director of Publishing, curation of Press Play continues to expand and—much like Pioneer Works—put disparate disciplines into dialogue. “We also try to represent this high-low spirit, where we deal with leading, prominent voices, but we also really want to be a place for people who are on the way up,” Jelly-Schapiro says.
This ranges from an exhibition by beloved literary magazine The Drift to the commission of a limited-edition “luxury” plastic bag by New York City-based artist duo Shanzhai Lyric. The latter’s booth delved into the essence of bootlegging, and the lines between real and fake. “It’s rare for an institution to let weirdness thrive,” Durand says, “which is so nice about our staff and community here. An idea comes across, we’re like ‘that’s wild, can we somehow control it?’”
Press Play does not limit their efforts to the traditional book reader, typical book fair guests, or your standard artgoer. “We look at books as an experience, and even with the books we publish, we ask ‘what is a book?’ and ‘what is a book, today?’” Durand says. Ultimately, they’re aiming to use their space to foster connection and nurture a community across a range of creative fields.
Perhaps surprisingly, this was a free event, with a donation suggested. “From the start, there’s been a real utopian spirit to Pioneer Works,” Jelly-Schapiro explains. “Part of that has been to keep a majority of our events admission-free and to have this feel like a porous place, where people can come and everything feels accessible.” Durand adds that not only is that part of Pioneer Works, but it’s the spirit of publishing. “The success,” she says, “is having so many people come through.”
“Press Play supports independent presses, often imagined by artists and writers, the same individuals and groups propelling the DNA of Pioneer Works forward,” fine artist Dustin Yellin, the founder and president of Pioneer Works, shares with Surface. “The printed word is at risk of being lost in the digital age, therefore, acting as steward and champion of books, zines and illustrated texts is fundamental to the mission of Pioneer Works.” Press Play aimed to be unfiltered, relevant, and, at times, difficult. With such attendance this edition, it clearly satisfied a need by their ever-expanding creative community, as well.
