Founded in 2001 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, Nieves is an independent publishing house that specializes in artists’ books and zines. As a pioneer in the art book scene known for embracing the zine format, Nieves has collaborated with a diverse range of artists—from established figures to emerging talents—including Kim Gordon, Masanao Hirayama, Rita Ackermann, Stefan Marx, Ari Marcopoulos, Misaki Kawai or Geoff McFetridge to name just a small fraction. In 2004, the imprint launched the Nieves Zine Series, a collection of A5-size, staple-bound, black-and-white photocopied zines. Though produced in small print runs, the series has significantly influenced the international independent publishing community, in part by providing artists who use books as a form of artistic expression an accessible medium for their practice, while also reaching a global audience.
This year at TABF, we will present an exhibition to celebrate the release of the 400th zine in the Nieves Zine series, featuring works by Stefan Marx and Masanao Hirayama. The exhibition will include a display showcasing the covers of all 400 zines, along with physical copies from the series, each unique despite sharing the same format. We invite you to enjoy this opportunity to explore zines created by artists in complete freedom, unfiltered by external influences.