Open Call To Artists: A Book About Death

by Art Fag City on June 29, 2009 · 61 comments

I’m not typically a fan of open calls (uncurated shows tend to attract those who can’t), but I can get behind a solid show concept employing the format.  One such case can be seen in A book About Death, an exhibition asking over 1000 artists to produce an unbound book of 500 post cards.  Conceived by Matthew Rose, the show couldn’t be more timely;  it’s been a big year for death.  Not to state the obvious, but Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett’s death last Thursday gives us all quite a bit to respond to.  Art Fag City, however, will take a different track;  we’re considering submitting the subscription inserts of now-defunct magazines as our contribution to the project.

Erwin Wurm Ubiquitous, Even at VIP Sanja Iveković at MoMA: That Backward Feminist From Croatia We Went To Chelsea, Vol. 1
  • http://artbynemo.blogspot.com/ the famous nemo

    I would love to take put in this, what do I have to do?

  • http://artbynemo.blogspot.com/ the famous nemo

    I would love to take put in this, what do I have to do?

  • http://artbynemo.blogspot.com/ the famous nemo

    I would love to take put in this, what do I have to do?

  • http://www.unutterable.org Giovanni

    I love your idea of the subscription inserts, but I don’t agree with your thought that this year is more timely in regards to death than any other year. I’m certain that Michael Jackson’s death won’t seem so fascinating by the time the show opens.

  • http://www.unutterable.org Giovanni

    I love your idea of the subscription inserts, but I don’t agree with your thought that this year is more timely in regards to death than any other year. I’m certain that Michael Jackson’s death won’t seem so fascinating by the time the show opens.

  • http://www.unutterable.org Giovanni

    I love your idea of the subscription inserts, but I don’t agree with your thought that this year is more timely in regards to death than any other year. I’m certain that Michael Jackson’s death won’t seem so fascinating by the time the show opens.

  • http://www.konsterlie.net peter konsterlie

    I’ve done two series about death, and I would love to be a part of this event.

    1.AMERICAN MEDICAL SERIES This series is a statement to a loved one’s medical treatment and illness, and death. Though not sentimental, it is an illustration of emotions through anatomical paintings. The illustrations were a beautiful source, and a great opportunity to let the details and the subtleties speak. The beautiful blood veins and organs stood out in a perfectly pleasant day.

    2. One Week’s Casualties, 240 portraits of American soldiers who died during one week of the Vietnam War, was shown at the Plains Art Museum in North Dakota and represented in the publication New Art International.

  • http://www.konsterlie.net peter konsterlie

    I’ve done two series about death, and I would love to be a part of this event.

    1.AMERICAN MEDICAL SERIES This series is a statement to a loved one’s medical treatment and illness, and death. Though not sentimental, it is an illustration of emotions through anatomical paintings. The illustrations were a beautiful source, and a great opportunity to let the details and the subtleties speak. The beautiful blood veins and organs stood out in a perfectly pleasant day.

    2. One Week’s Casualties, 240 portraits of American soldiers who died during one week of the Vietnam War, was shown at the Plains Art Museum in North Dakota and represented in the publication New Art International.

  • http://www.konsterlie.net peter konsterlie

    I’ve done two series about death, and I would love to be a part of this event.

    1.AMERICAN MEDICAL SERIES This series is a statement to a loved one’s medical treatment and illness, and death. Though not sentimental, it is an illustration of emotions through anatomical paintings. The illustrations were a beautiful source, and a great opportunity to let the details and the subtleties speak. The beautiful blood veins and organs stood out in a perfectly pleasant day.

    2. One Week’s Casualties, 240 portraits of American soldiers who died during one week of the Vietnam War, was shown at the Plains Art Museum in North Dakota and represented in the publication New Art International.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Thanks to AFC and Paddy for the kind post.

    Peter, and others, would love to have your work in the exhibition. You simply send 500 postcards to the EHF Gallery. We are planning a live webcast as well.

    All the best, Matthew

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Thanks to AFC and Paddy for the kind post.

    Peter, and others, would love to have your work in the exhibition. You simply send 500 postcards to the EHF Gallery. We are planning a live webcast as well.

    All the best, Matthew

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Thanks to AFC and Paddy for the kind post.

    Peter, and others, would love to have your work in the exhibition. You simply send 500 postcards to the EHF Gallery. We are planning a live webcast as well.

    All the best, Matthew

  • http://www.saulchernick.com Saul Chernick

    Will the unbound books be for sale? If so who pockets the cream?

  • http://www.saulchernick.com Saul Chernick

    Will the unbound books be for sale? If so who pockets the cream?

  • http://www.saulchernick.com Saul Chernick

    Will the unbound books be for sale? If so who pockets the cream?

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Is the Unbound Book About Death for sale?

    No. It’s free. You would have to come to the Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery (in NYC) on the opening night, one day prior to 9/11, to get the cards, either the cards you want, or a complete set. We are hoping there will be at least 1000 artists contributing.

    This is a non-profit exhibition. Artists and performers for the opening are donating their work and talent. So, there is no cream to pocket.

    However, if someone did have a complete set of the cards, they could in effect mount the exhibition in another city.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Is the Unbound Book About Death for sale?

    No. It’s free. You would have to come to the Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery (in NYC) on the opening night, one day prior to 9/11, to get the cards, either the cards you want, or a complete set. We are hoping there will be at least 1000 artists contributing.

    This is a non-profit exhibition. Artists and performers for the opening are donating their work and talent. So, there is no cream to pocket.

    However, if someone did have a complete set of the cards, they could in effect mount the exhibition in another city.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Is the Unbound Book About Death for sale?

    No. It’s free. You would have to come to the Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery (in NYC) on the opening night, one day prior to 9/11, to get the cards, either the cards you want, or a complete set. We are hoping there will be at least 1000 artists contributing.

    This is a non-profit exhibition. Artists and performers for the opening are donating their work and talent. So, there is no cream to pocket.

    However, if someone did have a complete set of the cards, they could in effect mount the exhibition in another city.

  • Art Fag City

    I’ll admit I find this aspect of the show confusing. The artist essentially makes 1000 cards, a set for themselves, and a set for the gallery. Then on the opening night, you collect the cards you want. Is this a free for all, or is there an organizing structure? What does a complete set of cards mean? Are you saying that 500 cards from one artist if displayed might constitute an entire exhibition?

  • Art Fag City

    I’ll admit I find this aspect of the show confusing. The artist essentially makes 1000 cards, a set for themselves, and a set for the gallery. Then on the opening night, you collect the cards you want. Is this a free for all, or is there an organizing structure? What does a complete set of cards mean? Are you saying that 500 cards from one artist if displayed might constitute an entire exhibition?

  • Art Fag City

    I’ll admit I find this aspect of the show confusing. The artist essentially makes 1000 cards, a set for themselves, and a set for the gallery. Then on the opening night, you collect the cards you want. Is this a free for all, or is there an organizing structure? What does a complete set of cards mean? Are you saying that 500 cards from one artist if displayed might constitute an entire exhibition?

  • Kristian Nammack

    Just please don’t roll out that tired skull encrusted with diamonds!

  • Kristian Nammack

    Just please don’t roll out that tired skull encrusted with diamonds!

  • Kristian Nammack

    Just please don’t roll out that tired skull encrusted with diamonds!

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Clarification: Each artist submits 500 cards (or CDs, DVDS or objects), branded with the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. 1000 artists, 500,000 cards. EDITION OF THE BOOK: 500.

    One copy of each card is posted on the wall of the Emily Harvey Gallery (a bit like my installations), and the others are stacked and the audience takes (one please) to produce their own unbound book. It’s free. If you get an entire collection, that is, all the “pages” you will have the exhibition in your pocket, so to speak. So it’s NOT 1000 cards per artist, but 500. We hope to have 1000 artists (or more) in the show. Looks like we’re headed there… thanks…Matthew

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Clarification: Each artist submits 500 cards (or CDs, DVDS or objects), branded with the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. 1000 artists, 500,000 cards. EDITION OF THE BOOK: 500.

    One copy of each card is posted on the wall of the Emily Harvey Gallery (a bit like my installations), and the others are stacked and the audience takes (one please) to produce their own unbound book. It’s free. If you get an entire collection, that is, all the “pages” you will have the exhibition in your pocket, so to speak. So it’s NOT 1000 cards per artist, but 500. We hope to have 1000 artists (or more) in the show. Looks like we’re headed there… thanks…Matthew

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Clarification: Each artist submits 500 cards (or CDs, DVDS or objects), branded with the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. 1000 artists, 500,000 cards. EDITION OF THE BOOK: 500.

    One copy of each card is posted on the wall of the Emily Harvey Gallery (a bit like my installations), and the others are stacked and the audience takes (one please) to produce their own unbound book. It’s free. If you get an entire collection, that is, all the “pages” you will have the exhibition in your pocket, so to speak. So it’s NOT 1000 cards per artist, but 500. We hope to have 1000 artists (or more) in the show. Looks like we’re headed there… thanks…Matthew

  • http://markamontgomery.com mark montgomery

    So each artist creates one image about death and prints 500 postcard-size copies? Then we mail the stack of copies in a packet to the museum, right?

  • http://markamontgomery.com mark montgomery

    So each artist creates one image about death and prints 500 postcard-size copies? Then we mail the stack of copies in a packet to the museum, right?

  • http://markamontgomery.com mark montgomery

    So each artist creates one image about death and prints 500 postcard-size copies? Then we mail the stack of copies in a packet to the museum, right?

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    That’s right, Mark. Very simple.

    Only thing we ask is that you print the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH in any size, any style, any language on the card somewhere. Feel free to add your URL and info.

    When you commit the piece to print, e mail me the front and back in large but light weight jpgs so I can put on the blog, and then add to the “wall” web site. Cool? My e mail is on the blog.

    M.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    That’s right, Mark. Very simple.

    Only thing we ask is that you print the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH in any size, any style, any language on the card somewhere. Feel free to add your URL and info.

    When you commit the piece to print, e mail me the front and back in large but light weight jpgs so I can put on the blog, and then add to the “wall” web site. Cool? My e mail is on the blog.

    M.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    That’s right, Mark. Very simple.

    Only thing we ask is that you print the phrase A BOOK ABOUT DEATH in any size, any style, any language on the card somewhere. Feel free to add your URL and info.

    When you commit the piece to print, e mail me the front and back in large but light weight jpgs so I can put on the blog, and then add to the “wall” web site. Cool? My e mail is on the blog.

    M.

  • Gina

    Are you still taking submissions ?

  • Gina

    Are you still taking submissions ?

  • Gina

    Are you still taking submissions ?

  • Carrie

    Please give information on guidelines and participation. How one can become involved and send in art.

    Thanx!

  • Carrie

    Please give information on guidelines and participation. How one can become involved and send in art.

    Thanx!

  • Carrie

    Please give information on guidelines and participation. How one can become involved and send in art.

    Thanx!

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Gina and Carrie,

    Yes, we are taking all works right up until September 5 … the 500 cards MUST BE IN THE GALLERY AT THAT DATE. Send your images, front and back to me : matthew.rose.paris@gmail.com (900 x 600 pixels for quick upload to the blog and web site).

    Artists must put somewhere on the card the words: A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. That is the only requirement. You are free to do what you like : the work should in some way reflect upon death.

    ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON THE BLOG: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ Just go and take a look… there are more than 100 works up now, and another 900 on their way.

    Hope that helps.

    MATTHEW

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Gina and Carrie,

    Yes, we are taking all works right up until September 5 … the 500 cards MUST BE IN THE GALLERY AT THAT DATE. Send your images, front and back to me : matthew.rose.paris@gmail.com (900 x 600 pixels for quick upload to the blog and web site).

    Artists must put somewhere on the card the words: A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. That is the only requirement. You are free to do what you like : the work should in some way reflect upon death.

    ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON THE BLOG: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ Just go and take a look… there are more than 100 works up now, and another 900 on their way.

    Hope that helps.

    MATTHEW

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Gina and Carrie,

    Yes, we are taking all works right up until September 5 … the 500 cards MUST BE IN THE GALLERY AT THAT DATE. Send your images, front and back to me : matthew.rose.paris@gmail.com (900 x 600 pixels for quick upload to the blog and web site).

    Artists must put somewhere on the card the words: A BOOK ABOUT DEATH. That is the only requirement. You are free to do what you like : the work should in some way reflect upon death.

    ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON THE BLOG: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ Just go and take a look… there are more than 100 works up now, and another 900 on their way.

    Hope that helps.

    MATTHEW

  • http://www.mythmara.com Mara

    I’m so pleased to have found this opportunity to contribute to an exhibition that is, in part, a take off on Ray Johnson’s ideas of art collaboration and collection. Matthew Rose… thank you for the opportunity! I found a friend visiting NYC near the date of the opening and she’ll go collect a set (of what’s left) for me while there. The idea of staging a left coast showing.. hmmm.. I like it.

  • http://www.mythmara.com Mara

    I’m so pleased to have found this opportunity to contribute to an exhibition that is, in part, a take off on Ray Johnson’s ideas of art collaboration and collection. Matthew Rose… thank you for the opportunity! I found a friend visiting NYC near the date of the opening and she’ll go collect a set (of what’s left) for me while there. The idea of staging a left coast showing.. hmmm.. I like it.

  • http://www.mythmara.com Mara

    I’m so pleased to have found this opportunity to contribute to an exhibition that is, in part, a take off on Ray Johnson’s ideas of art collaboration and collection. Matthew Rose… thank you for the opportunity! I found a friend visiting NYC near the date of the opening and she’ll go collect a set (of what’s left) for me while there. The idea of staging a left coast showing.. hmmm.. I like it.

  • http://www.anjaross.blogspot.com Anja Christine Roß (ANJA ROSS)

    I am looking forward. Kind posting is not my subject, but infact it seems that matthews project becomes a huge one.

  • http://www.anjaross.blogspot.com Anja Christine Roß (ANJA ROSS)

    I am looking forward. Kind posting is not my subject, but infact it seems that matthews project becomes a huge one.

  • http://www.anjaross.blogspot.com Anja Christine Roß (ANJA ROSS)

    I am looking forward. Kind posting is not my subject, but infact it seems that matthews project becomes a huge one.

  • http://www.artistpaintingonline.com mullerjeanfrancois

    great site.

  • http://www.artistpaintingonline.com mullerjeanfrancois

    great site.

  • http://www.artistpaintingonline.com mullerjeanfrancois

    great site.

  • http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ MATTHEW ROSE

    We have had some wonderful entries thus far (270 as of now), including Yoko Ono, Rodney Alan Greenblatt, Peter Schuyff, nearly an entire gallery’s artists from the Philipines and hundreds of others who have touched upon nearly every area of death as it touches them culturally, intellectually and personally.

    Hope that all the information now is clear. Deadline for works to be in the gallery is September 5. And thanks again, Paddy, for starting this conversation here on AFG. – MR

  • http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ MATTHEW ROSE

    We have had some wonderful entries thus far (270 as of now), including Yoko Ono, Rodney Alan Greenblatt, Peter Schuyff, nearly an entire gallery’s artists from the Philipines and hundreds of others who have touched upon nearly every area of death as it touches them culturally, intellectually and personally.

    Hope that all the information now is clear. Deadline for works to be in the gallery is September 5. And thanks again, Paddy, for starting this conversation here on AFG. – MR

  • http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/ MATTHEW ROSE

    We have had some wonderful entries thus far (270 as of now), including Yoko Ono, Rodney Alan Greenblatt, Peter Schuyff, nearly an entire gallery’s artists from the Philipines and hundreds of others who have touched upon nearly every area of death as it touches them culturally, intellectually and personally.

    Hope that all the information now is clear. Deadline for works to be in the gallery is September 5. And thanks again, Paddy, for starting this conversation here on AFG. – MR

  • linda

    Loved the concept and the sitenthank-you for sharing

  • linda

    Loved the concept and the sitenthank-you for sharing

  • linda

    Loved the concept and the site\nthank-you for sharing

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    There is now a slide show video of the exhibition, with the entire catalog of works, installationshots and posters set to the music of Praan by Garry Schyman.
    See: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/

    (It’s the top post, a YouTube video).

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    There is now a slide show video of the exhibition, with the entire catalog of works, installationshots and posters set to the music of Praan by Garry Schyman.
    See: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/

    (It’s the top post, a YouTube video).

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    There is now a slide show video of the exhibition, with the entire catalog of works, installationshots and posters set to the music of Praan by Garry Schyman.
    See: http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/

    (It’s the top post, a YouTube video).

  • http://matthewrosestudio.net/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Some two and a half years after this project opened at The Emily Harvey Foundation gallery in New York City, A Book About Death has been exhibited in various forms at some 25 different venues across the world including São Paulo,Wales, Treviso, Croatia, Bellgium, Mexicali, Omaha, Los Angeles, Seattle and other places – museums, galleries, art spaces.  The original set is in the permanent collections of MOMA NY and LACMA in LA.  More than 5000 artists have exhibited in this project if you include each of the venues.  More information about all the exhibitions is here: http://abookaboutdeatharchive.blogspot.com/    Again, thanks to all who have contributed or observed this project from close or from afar.

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