The NY Art Book Fair takes place this weekend at Moma PS1 in Queens. Brought together by Printed Matter (a non-profit tasked with championing art literature), the free-to-the-public fair brings together 365 exhibitors from across the world for two days of book launches, live music and debates. Among the publishing houses on show are the likes of Kurimanzutto libros (the publishing arm of Mexico City’s art gallery Kurimanzuto). Although the fair focuses on art-related literature, events such as these are crucial to promoting publishing houses and encouraging reading in the US. Nearly a quarter of Americans didn’t read a single book last year but that number has been slowly dropping since 2015 and is sure to keep doing so if the popularity of the NY fair is anything to go by.

The 4th Istanbul Design Biennial, themed around the interplay between design and learning, opens today. With it comes a much-needed gust of optimism for the country. Following the financial crisis – during which the Turkish lira took a historic 40 per cent plunge – and the unresolved spat with the US, the festival offers a way to bring the international community together in the capital. Over the next six weeks, talks, screenings, workshops and exhibitions will take on the topic of education and sustainable urbanisation. Highlights will include panels featuring designers and artists such as Finnish-born Jenna Sutela, New York and Seoul-based Taeyoon Choi and Italian Martina Muzi.