INTRODUCTION PIECE PART A NO 8 OF “STRANGERS”. 1970.A UNIQUE CONCEPTUAL ARTWORK.

London: s.p. (Collins), n.d. (1970)
Two original xerox sheets – 27 x 20.5cm, 1pp. The sheet has the following text:
“This is to certify that James Collins is a complete stranger to me and that he approached me -” and with the fields “Place/Time/Date completed by the subject of the work. The text continues “and I agree to participate in an art work where I’m introduced to a complete stranger.
The piece would be documented by a photograph showing the meeting taking place. Signed:”
The two sheets have been filled in by the two participants in the work called J.Roger Robbins and J R Hoggan (we think) and dated May 14 1970 at Oxford Street and signed by both on separate sheets.
There is also a large 26 x 37cm original b/w photograph by Collins on thick photographic paper of the two participants meeting and shaking hands.
Collins has tipped both the form and the card together onto a single 29 x 41cm sheet of card for a home-made exhibition.
This is a unique vintage conceptual art works by Collins who in the 70s was interested in the dynamics of strangers meeting new people (including the artist). Such works are mentioned in Lucy Lippard’s Dematerialisation of the Art Object and this is a rare find purchased directly from a friend of Collins who was given the works as a gift in the artist’s last days.
Both form and photograph are in VG+ condition but are tipped onto the card using tape at the top of the sheet/photograph.