London: National Poetry Centre, 1971
25.5 x 20.5cm, 6pp (recto only). The programme for this evening debate on "British Modernism, fact or fiction" between Bob Cobbing and Edward Lucie-Smith. The publication consists only of 5 sheets of stapled images of works by Ian Hamilton Finlay, John Furnival, dsh, Bob Cobbing, and one unidentified work and a cover. This is a very scarce item in VG+ condition.
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Paris: Chorus, 1971 17.4 x 34.7cm offset cartridge paper with a text: "essai de reconstitution effectué par christian boltanski le 24 mai 1971 d'un tableau peint par Jacques Monory en mars 1971 d'après des documents photographiques pris le 7 novembre 1970 au parc de saint-cloud." above which is an original b/w silver gelatine photograph tipped on. The image is a reconstruction of an earlier event that Boltanski's friend Monory had held in November 1970 and turned into an artwork. Boltanski recreated the work with different participants (other than Annette Messager). Signed and numbeed in pencil by Boltanski from an edition of 120 copies. VG+ JOINT: Paris: Chorus, 1971 17.4 x 34.7cm offset printed blue and black duotone - the original image created by Monory from the picnic on 7 November 1970 in the Parc de Saint-Cloud. There are differences from the original to Boltanski's attempt to recreate (for example the child in the right foreground carrying a long stick). This is one of 120 examples also signed and numbered by Monory. However this work has found behind broken glass and there are a number of surface scratches on the print. ...
Paris: Opus International, 1971
27 x 18cm, 136pp plus card covers. A single number of this art journal which has an original Boltanski pagework - Recit-Souvenir - a text with three associated photographs.
The text typed by Boltanski gives a history of the artist's grandparents and how they come to live in Paris.
The photographs claim to be of the grandmother aged 3, a samovar that she supposedly stole from her house when she ran away from Odessa to be with David Boltanski (the grandfather) and a modern photograph of the house they lived in. As ever the veracity of all of that information is impossible to be sure of. VG although the glue in the perfect binding has started to peel after nearly 50 years.
Reference: Flay Catalogue Page 56.
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Malmo: New Eter, 1971
29 x 23cm, printed envelope content of five internal loose sheets -- each 27 x 21.5. 1pp. The Boltanski contribution is a printed offset image of the adult artist bending over showing here his bed was situated in his room for the first nine years of this life.
Other sheets have original contributions by Paul-Armand Gette (Photograph of a tree stump and its exact location), le Gac - a written text, and Ben Vautier - an original found photograph of women practicing fencing which is stamped Ben Vautier certifies this to be a work of Flux Art (each copy had a different photograph). The final sheet is a colophon with a business card stapled to the card sheet and nothing else.
All fine although there is a slight mark from the staple on the colophon on Boltanski's contribution - all in VG+ envelope. A scarce item. Reference: Flay Boltanski Catalogue Page 54.
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Paris: Sonnabend Gallery, 1971
22 x 13.5cm, 8pp (self cover). The artist's fifth book which has an alternative title: "ESSAIS DE RECONSTITUTION D'OBJETS AYAN APPPARTENU A CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI ENTRE 1948 ET 1954". The book consists of 45 examples of objects from his childhood that Boltanski has tried to recreate in a variety of methods - they are mostly in text description but there are four small b/w images of some of the items. The items are mostly in clay or similar modelling materials and shown in metal drawers as if in an exhibition.
An important book which reflects Boltanski's interest in metal storage and the authority that such placements give to the objects. In VG condition but with some rust on staples.
JOINT:
Hand addressed envelope by Boltanski sent to M. Berg in Copenhagen. Franked printed stamp.
Referenced in Flay Boltanski Catalogue Page 48.
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N.p. (Berlin): n.p. (René Block Galerie), n.d.(1970) 14.8 x 20.9cm, 4pp. Publicity leaflet promoting the famous gallery which is in the form of a pocket calendar / almanac announcing editions and events related to gallery artists, complete with an actual mini calendar and printed rulers. On the last page there is a text in German which translates to “If it were true that Beuys would turn 50 on May 12, 1971, he could no longer do what he set out to do / if that were true, he couldn't be a rabbit either, which is the case in reality -… said Beuys on December 18, 1970 on the Oberkasseler bridge”. This item was distributed during Beuys' fiftieth year and can be seen as a printed edition in some respect. VG+. Very scarce,...
Paris: s.p. (Boltanski), 1970
18 x 16cm, original vintage b/w photograph which has a text below it telling a tale of Boltanski and his brothers. The photograph does indeed seem to be of the title - Boltanksi is on the right of the trio - later such images cannot be assumed always to be true. Original first edition.
JOINT:
17.2 x 26cm hand addressed manilla envelope sent to M. Berg in Denmark.Franked 10/11/1970.
It is referenced in Flay Christian Boltanski Catalogue 1992, Page 40
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Paris: Sonneband Gallery, 1970
21 x 15cm, 16pp (self cover). First edition of this artist's book with eight b/w images of Boltanski pretending to be a young child playing in various guises - sliding down the stairs on a mattress, crying, having a pillow fight, getting ready to eat, sliding down the bannister of stairs, playing with a water pistol and entering the class room. Each was taken by his friend Sarkis.
In this book Boltanski for the first time tries to recapture his early childhood but knows full well that he must fail.
Staples rusty else VG+. This was Boltanski's fourth artist's book.
JOINT WITH:
Brown hand addressed envelope sent to M Berg and dated 14.12.70.
Referenced in Flay Boltanski Catalogue Page 42. It is work noting that we hold the original photograph taken by Sarkis and used for the "pillow fight" page.
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Little Sparta: Finlay, 17 September 1970.
21 x 18cm, 2pp carbon copy typed letter on white paper which is hand signed at the end in ink. A letter to the British Fluxus artist Crozier discussing the proposed EXERCISE X book which the two artists were collaborating on. The letter discusses in detail the print and typography options for the book, Finlay arguing for subtle, nuance where possible where the letter X in the book changes. Finlay says "I must stress that I don't consider this booklet profound. Everyone knows that nuance exists. On the other hand, I get pleasure from showing how much one can change a thing while scarcely from the spot , as it were. If we make dramatic (moving) differences between the visual representations of the Xs, we will undermine the whole point. If, for instance, "Two" and "Duet" are just noticeably not the same 2 crossing lines, we can rely on the words to complete the distinction, without taking it further than that.
Likewise, "Duck-pond" needn't really try to depict the wakes left by 2 swimming ducks, but just by the merest alteration in the lines, allows the words to modify the image. Though obviously, if we had a blue rectangle on white one, there, and could have the lines white instead of black that would be pleasing."
JOINT:
A further two pages - both 21 x 18cm, 1pp carbon copy typed letter on white paper (recto only and stapled top left) with hand corrections by Finlay explaining the EXERCISE X book in greater detail. An important letter showing the degree to which Finlay's work method relied upon small considerations and great attention to detail. The book was planned to have a free style drawn X on each right hand page along with two hand drawn words of text. "The text is , in every case, a verbal modification of an X, and the rendering of then X's by the artist/calligrapher should echo this modification to some degree." The book in essence is how the smallest of changes can alter the meaning of something as much as possible.
Finlay lists the various texts which will alter the X's - The Windmill, The Stitch, The Net, The Kiss, The Cancellation, The Duck-Pond, The Ten, The Two, The Duet. All being able to be represented by an X - some more obviously than others (for instance, the Duck Pond is two crossing wakes from swimming ducks).
Finlay mentions the use of colour but accepts that is down to expense but he would ideally like a brown X at The Net and a red one at The Cancellation and a blue one at the Duck-Pond etc. "The actual details of presentation will have to be decided in terms of the cost." "Probably a very small format would be nicest."
JOINT:
A hand addressed mailed envelope to Crozier in Finlay's hand. Carefully opened.
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Paris: Chorus, 1970
24 X 18cm, 80pp plus pictorial covers. A single number of the art journal which alongside Boltanski are original contributions and articles on Arman, Jean Le Gac, Henri Calet and others.
Notable here are four pages by Boltanski - a b/w photograph of the artist lying on the ground of a back garden as if he has died. The same photograph is shown four times but each time showing more and more of the body in close up.
Thematically this touches on the same interest in accidents and death that the artist had explored in some of his earliest works (which described false accounts of a fatal accident). VG+. Scarce publication.
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Berlin: n.p., 1970.
10.3 x 15cm, 2pp commercial postcard with an image of the Berlin Kongresshalle and on the reverse greetings and best wishes from both Boltanski and his partner Annette Messager. VG+.
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Paris: s.p. Boltanski, n.d. (1970)
21 x 13.5cm, 12pp (self cover). The second of the artist's books created by Boltanski by writing false narratives from six b/w found images. The book has an alternative title: "Tout ce que je sais d’une femme qui est morte et que je n’ai pas connue". Sadly the poor quality staples used have rusted over 50 years but otherwise this is in VG+ condition.
This is the true first edition from M. Berg's collection which was sent by Boltanski to the collector in 1970. Rare.
It is referenced in Flay Christian Boltanski Catalogue 1992, Page 30.
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