Tauba Auerbach | [2,3]

Tauba Auerbach
[2,3]
New York, USA: Printed Matter, 2011
6 pp., 50.8 x 82.3 cm
Edition of 1000 signed and numbered copies

"For [2,3], Auerbach has created an oversized pop-up book featuring six die-cut paper sculptures that unfold into wonderful, elaborate forms. While much of Auerbach’s work has previously dealt with compositions staged in the flux state between 2D and 3D, [2,3] represents an expansion for the artist towards a more sculptural medium. Engineered by the artist, each “page” opens into a beautifully constructed object, intricately conceived so that the large-scale paper works—some up to 18” tall—can be collapsed totally flat.

The six sculptures in [2,3] take their cue from a range of geometric forms—the pyramid, sphere, ziggurat, octagonal bipyramid (gem), arc, and möbius-strip. The use of a bright, contrasting palette is familiar from Auerbach’s previous work across a range of materials, including acrylics, etchings and C-type prints. This groundbreaking project stands as an astonishing art-object, part bookwork and part sculpture, and represents an advance in the field of pop-up technology.

The six volumes will be housed in a specially designed slipcase, and each folio will measure 20” x 32” when open."


I toyed with buying this only a couple of months ago (it was around $600 with shipping, I recall) and ultimately didn't. I note today that the edition has sold out (despite it's prohibitive cost and size), and copies on the secondary market have already doubled.


(below: the artist at the NY Art Book Fair, and with former Printed Matter director AA Bronson)