Ruscha, Edward. (b. 1937)
Records - Signed
Hollywood: Heavy Industry Publications. 1971. Offset printed with 15 photographic reproductions in duotone, 1 in black and white. (63)p., 61 photogr. ills., printed in 2000 copies, bound as issued within the red paper wrappers with the title printed on the uppers, overall size 180 x 140 mm (7 1/8 x 5 1/2 in). This example signed by Ruscha on front endpaper in ink. Engbert & Phillpot B15; Hasselblad, pp. 198-99. Small stain to the outer edge of first five leaves, sticker remnant on front cover, else fine.Artist's book comprising sixty one black and white illustrations being photographs of the sleeve and disc of 30 records from the artist's collection.
Credited with reinventing the artist's book, throughout the 1960s and 70s, Ruscha produced sixteen conceptual books of photographs, focused on the symbols of American life and consumer culture. By turning away from the craftsmanship and luxury status that typified the livre d'artiste in favor of the artistic idea or concept, expressed simply and in editions that were unsigned (the present copies were signed outside of the edition) and inexpensively printed, Ruscha opened the genre to the possibilities of mass-production and distribution. These books proved to be highly influential, inspiring many artists to create their own responses, including Bruce Nauman, who for his 1968 Burning Small Fires burned a copy of Ruscha's Various Small Fires and Milk and photographed the process! (18480)
Art Signed Document/Item Art & Design Book