David Hammons
The Holy Bible: Old Testament
London, UK: Hand/Eye Projects, 2002
1002 pp., 30 x 24 x 2.5cm, leather
Edition of 165
Hammon's first published bookwork is a kind of appropriation closed circuit, taking Duchamp's assisted readymades to the their logical conclusion. Hammons rebound the soft-cover edition of Arturo Schwarz’s 1969 book The Complete Works of Marcel Duchamp as a leather-bound, gilded edge bible with slip-case.
The enigmatic Hammons has not spoken about the piece in interview, to the best of my knowledge and is often cagey about his work in general. Many read this piece as a critique, mocking the exaltation of Duchamp in the contemporary art world. It could also function as an update of Rauschenberg's patricidal Erased de Kooning (note the use of the old testament). But Hammon's work has frequently nodded to Duchamp in the past (such as Fountain and Nude Descending a Staircase and 1982's Bag Lady In Flight) and the piece could certainly also function as a genuine homage.
No comments:
Post a Comment