Europe to America: A Shift In Power 1955-1970
The fifteen-year period covered by the books in this gallery chronicles the gradual yet definitive shift in which Europe lost its prominence in artists’ books and America emerged as a new creative centre. There was a certain inevitability as any of the great European artists and publishers passed from the scene. However, this loss of energy and influence also mirrored what was happening in the contemporary art world as its centre shifted from Paris to New York. In the United States publishers such as Tatyana Grossman of Universal Limited Art Editions determinedly engaged the greatest American artists and writers of the period in the creation of dynamic publications. In addition, the inventive use of technology was in evidence in Los Angeles with the publication of Gemini G.E.L and the often self-published and inexpensive “bookworks†of Ed Ruscha.
Contre terre by René de Solier
Book with 24 etchings on Auvergne pur chiffon à la main du Richard de Bas paper; loose in Auvergne wrappers with brown lettering on cover.
Artist: Germaine Richier (French). Author: René de Solier (French). Paper maker: Blum & Rochat. Printers: Reynold Disteli, André Kundig. Published by: André et Pierre Gonin (French or Swiss), 1958.
Gift of the Reva and David Logan Foundation
La Liberte des mers by Pierre Reverdy
Book with 8 lithographs (color, 1 repeated on the cover), and 60 decorations in black and in color throughout the text, printed on Arches wove paper.
Courtège by Piere Lecuire
Book with 24 pochoir (including the cover) on Arches wove paper; loose inpaper wrappers with illustration front and back covers and spine.
Vers le blanc infini by Hans (Jean) Arp
Book with 16 etchings (8 with color) on Richard de Bas, Auvergne à la Main wove paper; loose in Auvergene wrappers.
Le Tir à l'arc by Multiple Authors
Book with 11 illustrations total: 1 etching (on Japan nacré paper), 2 woodcut engravings (on brown laid paper), and 8 color lithographs.
