Motto began as a distribution company for Switzerland, initially specializing in magazines and growing to firmly support the distribution of independent, artist-published books and zines.  A Motto storefront enjoys a permanent residence in Berlin, and also Zurich, but the concept and collection has traveled around the world with temporary shops popping up in cities like Vilnius, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Moscow, Stuttgart, Athens, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris – and for one more week, Vancouver.

The Motto Storefront in Gastown opened May 15 in conjunction with Artspeak and runs until July 22.  Weekly talks relating to the general topic of contemporary art publishing have enjoyed a popular run, and Vancouverites have just 9 more days to browse Motto Gastown’s collection of experimental, small run, and independently produced books, magazines, and fanzines.  Thinking about all the passion and creativity jammed within bound pages gives me goosebumps.  It’s akin to the thrill of browsing through antique books, smelling the old paper and marveling at how language has evolved away from words like “agreeable” and “needn’t” – except with new art books.

233 Carrall St.