For W&L the books became “unwanted” due to the tectonic shift in the book trade since the advent of online bookselling. Books that used to retail for $15-40 are no longer fit for the marketplace. Many of them have lost most of their “value” due to the flooding of the internet with inventory, both real and imagined, from all corners of the globe. The books remain perfectly serviceable, not beat up or damaged, and desirable (in the sense that if more people had the opportunity to actually “see” or happen upon the book they would want it).
We reached our tipping point.There is more value in releasing the books into our community then there is in offering them for sale. The Free Book Incident is a place for exploration, engagement, ideas, activity, conversation and ultimately, alchemy – all of it generated by the decommidification of books.
Over the course of the month there will be a multitude of book-infused programming from all corners of the book universe. From people reading from books to people making art from them and everything in between.
Stay tuned here and to the [storefront] Olson Kundig Facebook page for the schedule as it becomes available.
The opening reception for The Free Book Incident is scheduled for January 10, 5:30-8:30pm. Food, drink, and nearly 2,000 free books, will be provided.
Olson Kundig Architects will accept book donations during the installation on the ground floor of 159 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104, M-F 8am-5pm
This is going to be memorable month.