The filmmaker Jud Yalkut not only made some of the most important documentary films in the East Coast USA avant grade art scene but he was close friends with Nam June Paik, Charlotte Moorman and Jonas Mekas amongst others and was active in the avant grade of the 60s and 70s.
A significant figure in avant grade cinema, Yalkut initially gained a lot of attention from his involvement in the USCO group: an American media art collective founded by Gerd Stern, Michael Callahan, and Steve Durkee but to which Yalkut soon became a significant figure creating many of the group’s installations, films and often designing the group’s publicity material. The films TURN, TURN, TURN , GHOST REV, DIFFRACTION FILM, and DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE might be regarded as works that were primarily created as USCO artworks although the first of these films was created in co-operation with Nam June Paik – the giant of experimental video with whom, thereafter, he regularly collaborated.
The emerging counter culture scene and the rise of rock music as the dominant musical genre in the United States led Yalkut to make a number of films involving musicians and, in particular, the film AQUARIAN RUSHES where Yalkut documented the events and bands of Woodstock. He continued to involve himself with new music performances including being part at times of the Fluxorchestra (which had a fluid and ever changing membership) but he also continued to create major installations using projections and music. Even in his later years he would often film musicians including jazz innovators such as Warren James and Pee Wee Russell.
In 1967 Yalkut made SELF-OBLITERATION the most important film about Yayoi Kusuma which introduced her to a wider art audience. The film was shown regularly on the art circuit and drew more attention to the filmmaker who by now was a common figure at screenings in New York and, later, in Ohio.
Yalkut continued to work well into his 60s and in the 70s started a film and video program at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. His later life was as primarily as a teacher with occasional forays into the world of art. He died in 2013 only months after a major retrospective of this life and works was shown at Dayton University, OH.
Here we offer an archive of the ephemeral and other material from Yalkut’s activities – mostly from the period 1965 to 1975 when he was most active. There are very scarce items here including a number of unique horoscopes that Yalkut made for his friends and colleagues and, in particular, there is the original collage/paste up that Yalkut made for the premiere of SELF-OBLITERATION in 1967 which incorporates an original photograph by the artist of Kusama.
In total there are 72 items in this archive – all came directly or indirectly from Yalkut’s own holdings. The collection is for sale (or even available for exhibition under certain circumstances) – do enquire as to price. Please note we may consider selling individual items from this group – again please enquire.
JUD YALKUT EXPERIMENTAL VIDEO. 1980s.
Cleveland: Spaces Gallery, n.d. (1980s) 12.5 x 17.8cm, 2pp announcement card with a typographic design on both sides printed blue on white for a solo show with Dan Rice and Ronald Gonzalez also exhibiting separately. Yalkut attended on the 10th September for a public discussion of hsi films. VG.
FILMS BY JUD YALKUT. 1980S.
Dayton, OH: Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library, n.d. (1980s) 21.5 x 13.8cm, 1pp announcement leaflet printed black on blue for a double feature of jazz films by Yalkut. The films were “Noh Age Video” about the painter Warren James and “Portrait of Pee Wee Russell: – the clarinetist who also painted large scale abstracts. VG.
EXPERIMENTAL MULTUPLEX HOLOGRAPHY PROJECTS. 1981.
Dayton, OH: University of Dayton Rike Center Gallery, 1981 27 x 21.5cm, 2pp black on white announcement card/mailer with a typographic design for a group show which included Jud Yalkut, Arthur Chaffee, Judith Miller, Ken Nevadomi and Thomas Silver. Folded as issued – an unmailed example.
60S MUSIC VIDEO : VIDEO ART PREMIER. 1983.
N.p. (Dayton, OH): Canal Street Tavern, 1983 28 x 21.5cm, 1pp black on white small poster with a design by the artist for a show of videos of rock bands which include the Woodstock Festival, The Grateful Dead, The Who, Loving Spoonful, Mitch Ryder and Young Rascals. VG.
VISIONS & SUR-REALITIES. A THREE PART RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBIT OF WORKS BY JUD YALKUT. 2013.
Dayton, OH: Dayton University, n.d. (2013) 25 x 23cm, 12pp (self cover) exhibition catalogue for a major retrospective of the filmmaker’s video, film and installation work – this was Yalkut’s last show as he died in July of the same year only 2 months after the close of the exhibition. He did however ive an artist’s talk at the opening. Colour images throughout and a text by Pam Houk as well as a lengthy artist’s statement by Yalkut. Slight indent on cover (from a paper clip) else VG+. The final publication.
EXPERIMENTAL FILMS BY JUD YALKUT AT THE FOUR WINDS CAFE.
Yellow Springs, OH: Four Winds Cafe, n.d. 28 x 21.5cm, 1pp announcement leaflet printed black on blue with a large reproduced photo-collage of people watching or making video (possibly by Yalkut). A two night showing of works. SLight stains bottom right else VG.