Established in 2012,
BLOW UP PRESS (or BUP, for short) is a family-run boutique publisher of photobooks and lens-based art books. Originally launched online, after four years of work BUP switched to paper to quickly become a recognizable producer of sophisticated and meticulously curated books that deal with profound thought-provoking themes such as social inequality, historical memory, identity, and personal narratives. The publications designed by
Aneta Kowalczyk and managed by
Grzegorz Kosmala are renowned for their compelling storytelling and unique approach to every project. Notable works include
Hotel of Eternal Light by Karolina Spolniewski, which explores the psychological scars of detention, and
Dame Gulizar and Other Love Stories by Rebecca Topakian, a project intertwining Armenian family history with mythology.
Sharing BUP’s dedication to stories, which, as the couple’s motto says, always matter, FORM Magazine talked to Aneta and Grzegorz about the intricacies of book-based industry, Asian vs European markets and promises that sometimes can be broken.