Spain’s publishing industry represents the pinnacle of the country’s cultural sector. In 2021, almost 80,000 new books were published and more than 174 million books were sold (combining paper and digital), making Spain one of the world’s leading book industries. It is therefore unsurprising that Spain was chosen as Guest of Honour at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair.
Dandelion by Burkhard Dämmer in the Guest of Honour pavilion.
Taking place from 19–23 October 2022, the Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair) sets the stage for sharing stories and experiencing a rich profusion of literary works. As Guest of Honour, Spain took up residence in the Guest of Honour pavilion, a focal point of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The pavilion was designed by Madrid-based ENORME Studio, together with creative studios Vitamin and TwoPoints.Net. A dynamic and imaginative space in which to enjoy a myriad of cultural activities and events, the Spanish pavilion immersed visitors in Spain’s brilliant literary scene, underpinned by the motto ‘Creatividad Desbordante’ (Overflowing Creativity). For LZF, it was an honour to include a selection of lamps in the pavilion’s design.
Estela by Mayice in the Guest of Honour pavilion.
The concept for Spain’s Guest of Honour pavilion was based on a theory by acclaimed Spanish author Carmen Martín Gaite (1925–2000): ‘Stories are like cherries. When you pull on one, the next one comes with it.’ To embody Gaite’s ‘cherry theory’, ENORME Studio created three capsules that resembled cherries. These capsules housed an immersive exhibition, stage areas, workshop spaces, and a happy hour meeting place. Using AI technology, interactive walls acted as a backdrop within the pavilion—similar to the pages of a book, they were filled with the many words and ideas expressed during the book fair. Other features included snaking bookshelves and a mechanical arm holding a pen that reproduced the handwriting of leading Spanish authors.
When choosing the lighting for the Guest of Honour pavilion, ENORME Studio carefully selected LZF lamps that were in keeping with the content of the space: Burkhard Dämmer’s Dandelion, Mayice’s Estela, Yonoh Creative Studio’s Chou, and Luis Eslava Studio’s Agatha. Each and every LZF lamp has its own story, and ENORME Studio’s choice of luminaires added to the Spanish pavilion’s wonderfully creative narrative.
Agatha by Luis Eslava Studio.
Photos © 2022 Acción Cultural Española.
