Takako Saito: Schachspiele + Performance 1989

Takako Saito

Takako Saito: Schachspiele + Performance 1989

Wiesbaden, Germany: Harlekin Art, 1990

24 pp., 14.8 x 12 cm., softcover

Edition size unknown

Twelve perforated postcards, each with an image of the artist with added cartoon speech bubbles with space for the owner to add their own texts before sending. 

Takako Saito | Schachspiele, Spiele und Bücher

Takako Saito

Schachspiele, Spiele und Bücher

Weissbaden, Germay: Harlekin Art, 1989 

[2] pp., 10 x 16.5 cm., 

Edition size unknown

An announcement card in the shape of a Saito’s signature bowler hat for an exhibition of chess games, games and books that ran from the 23rd of June to the 28th of July, 1989. 

Takako Saito

 

There are unconfirmed reports that Takako Saito has died. RIP. 

Takako Saito | A Dream

Takako Saito

A Dream

[np]: Self-published, 1970

11 × 8 × 7 cm.

Edition of 35 signed, titled and numbered copies

A two-part hinged wooden box with a bell screwed to inside and featuring a hand-drawn “heartbeat” graphic. around the box’s exterior and interior. 

Takako Saito | Grinder Chess

Takako Saito

Grinder Chess

New York City, USA: ReFlux, nd

17 x 17 x 7.2 cm.

Edition of 19 signed and numbered copies

I can't think of another artist who has made as many great chess board variations as Takako Saito. Her disrupted sets include games in which you identify your pieces by scent, taste, weight and sound, as well as Book Chess (1980), Nut & Bolt Chess (1964) and even wearable chess sets. 

Grinder Chess isn't as conceptually strong as some of the others, but its formally great - drill bits reimagined as soldiers. The piece may be a pun on the chess term "grinder", which refers to a player with an unassuming style. 

The work is designed by George Maciunas, who predatory drawing is below. 

Takako Saito | To My Friends

Takako Saito

To My Friends

Devon, UK: Beau Geste Press,1974

15.5 x 20.5 x 1 cm.

Edition of 120 signed copies

Takaka Saito’s first artist book is an elaborately produced work commemorating her days in Devon. The title is dedicated to and primarily distributed to her friends, making this a scarce and hard to find bookwork. 

Takako Saito | 1 ~ ∞ Welten

Takako Saito

1 ~ ∞ Welten

Köln, Germany: Edition Hundertmark, 1982

10.5 x 15 x 1.7 cm

Edition of 40 signed and numbered copies

A cardboard box with a printed cover label containing two small wire figures and three photographic prints.

Takako Saito | A Concert on a Beach

Takako Saito

A Concert on a Beach

Cologne, Germany: Edition Hundertmark, 1979

21 x 21 x 5.1 cm.

Edition of 30 signed, dated and numbered copies

A round wooden box containing sand and three toy whistles. A label affixed to the lid’s exterior has a face printed with a purple rubber-stamped moustache. The work is signed, dated and numbered by the artist in pencil. 

Takako Saito | Würfelstuhl

Takako Saito

Würfelstuhl

Düsseldorf, Germany: Edition Hundertmark, 1979

3.2 x 7.2 x 5.1 cm.

Edition of 75 signed, dated and numbered copies

The 63rd boxed work published by Armin Hundtermark contains three cube chairs, which are filled with small balls.

Valued at approximately $800 US. 

Grappa Fluxus Box 2

[Various artists]

Grappa Fluxus Box 2

Molvena, Italy: Massimo Lunardon, 1997

40 x 62.5 x 16 cm.

Edition of 8

A follow-up to the original Grappa Fluxus, four years prior. A Serigraphed wooden box with hinged doors, containing glass blown works by six artists affiliated with Fluxus:  Eric Andersen, Dick Higgins, Milan Knizak, Takako Saito, Mieko Shiomi, Ben Vautier.

"In 1995 Luigi Bonotto asked me to design a bottle for Grappa (Italian brandy). I wanted to make a bottle whose shape has features of wind instruments and string instruments, yet is none of them – an imaginary primitive shape of an instrument. Inside the bottle is genuine Grappa."

- Mieko Shiomi