Art and words wrapped in books, zines and passe-partouts. Fanzineist is an art book and zine fair that offers more than you might think.
- Large exhibition area
- Dozens of publishers
- Art, workshops, music & more too
- Includes an online version
- 2025 dates: May 16-18, 2025
- Book a two-hour walking tour* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Art in print, and more
(Posters outside the venue)
Billed as an art book and zine fair, Fanzineist actually forms a wider contemporary art and music event.
The core is the exhibition hall with its numerous tables full of purchasable creativity, with the originators on hand to discuss their art, writing, and/or designs.
But you also get talks & workshops, concerts & performances, and more.
Having departed blossoming youthfulness behind many years ago, I used my time at the event simply to browse the exhibition area and left evening DJs to those born several decades later.
The location certainly fits the fair. The Victorianesque early-industrial halls of the Atelierhaus of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna are full of wrought iron and tall doors for mythological giants (or perhaps just large-format artworks).
The Academy remains one of Vienna’s prestigious arts-focused universities with a long history (visit the public paintings gallery exhibitions).
(Press photo courtesy of Pilar Del Rio and Fanzineist)
The former “Semperdepot” used to store props and sets for theater and opera productions. Today’s Atelierhaus now serves primarily as a venue. You can see the insides, for example, in the video to Lovelight by Robbie Williams.
On my visit, the exhibition area featured several rows of tables with independent artists and publishers selling a mix of products.
The wares included original art: I was much taken by the colourful animals of illustrator Pilar del Rio (pictured above) or the “deformed” photos of Vienna by Mariam Manzaneque. But also postcards, prints, graphic novels, art books, art zines, even some textiles and clothes.
And all with a strong urban, international flavour (with over 20 countries represented). And very relaxed, as such events tend to be. Not a place for corporate marketing machines, thankfully.
Which means you can happily chat to people about their work, adding a welcome depth to the buying experience.
The overall impression was a reminder of the wealth of creativity still around in the world, not to mention the courage and entrepreneurialism required to turn imagined pictures and words into saleable items.
Dates, tickets & tips
The 2025 edition of Fanzineist runs from May 16th to May 18th.
Opening times are:
- Friday: 4pm to 9pm (entertainments until 11.30pm)
- Saturday: 1pm to 8pm (entertainments until 11pm)
- Sunday: midday to 6pm
The previous one featured over 125 publishers from around the world. Entrance is free.
How to get there
The event returns to the atmospheric Semperdepot, which happens to be close to one of my favourite coffee houses.
The location involves a short walk from public transport stops. For example:
Subway: Karlsplatz station (on the U1 and U4 lines) or Kettenbrückengasse (U4).
Bus: Laimgrubengasse (57A line)
Address: Lehárgasse 8, 1060 Vienna | Website (for the event)