Bas Jan Ader | I’m too sad to tell you

Bas Jan Ader

I’m too sad to tell you

Los Angeles, USA: Meliksetian | Briggs, 2024

41.7 x 55.9 cm. [paper size], 36.5 x 50.8 cm. [image size]

Edition of 75 numbered copies [+ 10 APs]

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Bas Jan Ader’s fateful voyage - where a performance work led to the artist’s disappearance/death at sea - his estate have released the first in a series of planned editioned works. 

Produced in collaboration with Meliksetian | Briggs, the photographic text work I’m too sad to tell you, from 1970, is a digital silver gelatin print on 350 gsm fiber-based paper, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the estate. 

I’m too sad to tell you is one of the defining images of ‘romantic conceptualism’. Released last December, the work is available for $1,975.00 USD, here. 

 

Alice Cattaneo | Everything Was Interesting

Alice Cattaneo

Everything Was Interesting Badge

Birmingham, UK: Ikon Gallery, [nd]

size unknown

Edition size unknown

Twenty-two years ago Ikon Gallery presented the first exhibition of Kelly Mark’s work in the United Kingdom. The title came from something Mark casually said to the curator years prior. The phrase was printed onto thousands of buttons which were distributed for free to visitors of the gallery. 

My friend KR just informed me of this response piece, which I’m certain was not intended as a memorial to Mark, but functions nicely as one. 

There’s almost no information about the work (on the Ikon site, or elsewhere, that I could find). I’m guessing that they published it, but it could’ve been self-published by the artist. 

They’re priced at a pound and I want one, but fear that shipping costs would be way more than the work itself. 

https://shop.ikon-gallery.org/products/everything-was-interesting-badge

Visitor | Jeffrey Epstein’s Black Book (Deluxe Edition)

Visitor

Jeffrey Epstein’s Black Book (Deluxe Edition)

New York City, USA: Self-published, 2019

[200] pp., 14.5 x 11 cm., hardcover

Edition of 20

Sinister and cynical exploitation, or the ultimate book fetish item? This "Deluxe" edition of Jeffrey Epstein’s unredacted infamous black book by Visitor features a gold hot-stamped black leather hardcover and mirror finished gold foiled ‘Blacktop Construction’ French Paper Company text stock throughout. 

The original, belonging to the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, first became known after his butler and house manager Alfredo Rodriguez acquired it and offer it for sale. 

Rodriguez (who died of a very rare cancer related to asbestos inhalation in 2011) worked at Epstein's Palm Beach mansion from 2004 to 2005 and was intimately aware of his boss' activities. He claimed to have witnessed underage girls naked at Epstein’s pool and child pornography on Epstein’s personal computer. 

The book reportedly includes the names of 1571 celebrities, politicians, princes and princesses, bankers, artists, scientists and oligarchs. Rodriguez annotated the book with cryptic marginalia - with arrows and stars beside certain names. He was said to have circled the names of those he believed were co-conspirators and witnesses to Epstein's crimes. Prince Andrew's name is circled. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak's name is circled. Donald Trump's name is circled. 

The book first turned up in a courtroom in 2009, after Epstein's 2008 prison sentence, when Rodriguez tried to sell it to an undercover FBI agent. He told investigators that the black book was a 'treasure trove', a 'gold nugget' and "the Holy Grail". He also referred to it as his insurance policy against Epstein, who wanted him to “disappear.” 

Rodriguez was convicted and spent 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice, a sentence five months longer than Epstein's. 

The book’s most recent courtroom appearance was last December, as “Exhibit 52” in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty of helping Epstein to sexually abuse teenage girls. Her sex trafficking conviction was upheld last week by a US judge, who denied a requested retrial. She will be sentenced on June 28, 2022. 

A redacted scan of  Epstein's book was uploaded by Gawker, and can be found here. Vistor's Deluxe Edition can be purchased from Printed Matter, for $800.00 US, here. 

 

Linda Montano | Linda As Lenny

Linda Montano

Linda As Lenny

La Jolla, USA: Laurence McGilvery, 2015

30.3 x 45.6 cm.

Edition of 50 signed and numbered copies [+14 AP]

A digital poster on stiff Hahnemühle photo rag paper of an image taken in the late eighties in Manhattan's East Thirties, from a series of photographs by Annie Sprinkle that depict Montano in various guises. 

I'll admit I mistook the title as Linda as Lemmy, from the metal band Motorhead, whose handlebar moustache and denim outfits felt more iconic a look than Lenny Bruce. But as I look closer I see that there the moustache is not handlebar, just in the shadows. The publisher notes that he thinks that Montano looks like a young Bob Dylan. Either way, it reminds me of Douglas Gordon's self-portrait as Andy Warhol, as Kurt Cobain, as Marilyn Monroe, as killer Myra Hindley. 

The work is available for $75 here. 

MoMA Sale

The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is currently offering several of their titles at up to 75% off, including books on Robert Rauschenberg, Yoko Ono, Walid Raad, Bjork, Louise Lawler, Elaine Sturtevant, Dieter Roth, and many others. A Gilbert and George vinyl record is also part of the sale. 

Visit their website, here, for details.