Category: antiquarian books

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Victor Vasarely (1906-1997)

It was the early 70s when I stumbled upon a small art dealer in the bustling Hoogstraat of The Hague. There, in the window display, I spotted two silk-screen prints by none other than Vasarely himself. At first glance, I was in awe of their beauty, but the fact that they were part of a limited edition of 100 numbered and signed copies made me lose interest. You see, back then, I had never heard of art being published in such a manner. Nowadays, however, it has become a common practice. Artists now make a living off of these exclusive editions and individuals have the opportunity to acquire an original piece of art at an affordable price. Looking back, I regret not purchasing those prints at the time, but as the saying goes, “time flies and memories fade.”

Over the next three decades, Vasarely’s works seemed to have faded from the public eye. But in present times, his works have resurfaced and are highly sought after, rightfully so. Many consider him to be one of the leading artists of the Geometric Abstract art and Optical art movements. His unique perspective and approach to Modern Art has resulted in numerous beautiful and impressive works that can now be found in the most prestigious museums around the globe.

If you ever find yourself in Budapest, I highly recommend paying a visit to the Vasarely Museum located on the outskirts of the city (just a half-hour tram ride away). While it may not be your typical modern-day museum, the collection of Vasarely’s works housed within its walls is nothing short of fantastic. It’s a true feast for the eyes, featuring some of the best OP ART pieces you will ever see gathered in one place. Fun fact: you may even come across one of the Kriwin catalogues on display, as shown below.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, allow me to share a little secret with you. The Vasarely catalogue published by the Stedelijk Museum features an original relief print in black and white on the back cover (shown above). Now, that’s certainly something to marvel at.

www.ftn-books.com has several Vasarely titles available.

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Jungwook Kim (continued)

A few years ago i was looking for information on this Koresan artist and now…..by chance …. I stumbled upon the information wanted. This is what i can share now:

A graduate of Duksung Women’s University with a major in Oriental Painting, she has displayed her works in solo exhibitions at prestigious venues like Gallery Skape(2015), Gallery Fish(2004), Kumho Museum of Art(1998), as well as a multitude of group exhibitions, including Sejong Museum of Art(2020), Seoul National University Museum(2020), Suwon Museum of Art(2019), Jeongeup Museum(2018), Kumho Musseum of Art(2016), and the National Museum of Contemporary Art(2015).

Her creations have garnered recognition and been collected by prominent institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul National University Museum of Art, OCI Museum, HOW Art Museum Shanghai (China), and Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art.

With a diverse range of exhibitions and collections, her artistic journey has flourished and captivated the audiences, solidifying her position as a revered artist in the world of Oriental Painting.

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DYLABY (continued)

DYLABY is short for Dynamisch Labyrint, an exhibition held in 1962 at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. It was a convergence of modern art, featuring some of the most iconic names in the art world: Tinguely, Niki de Saint Phalle, Robert Rauschenberg, and Martial Raysse. Despite being advertised as “chaos,” a closer examination of the exhibition’s catalogue reveals a well-planned and deliberate event. Though over fifty years have passed since its inception, the catalogue still holds significance as a historical document, both for the event that was DYLABY and for its own design. It provides a complete insider’s glimpse into the exhibition.

Additionally, the series of photographs by Ed van der Elsken featured in the catalogue are some of his best work. This catalogue, along with its accompanying separate exhibition plan, is a prized possession for art enthusiasts and can be found on www.ftn-books.com.

Artist and author names: Robert Rauschenberg, Raysse, Niki de Saint Phalle, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely, Per Olaf Ultvedt Title: DYLABY (Dynamisch Labyrint) Publisher: Stedelijk Museum, 1962 Number of pages: 24 pages plus 4-page cover/foldout and separate exhibition plan Text/Language: Dutch and English Measurements: 10.2 x 7.5 inches Condition: Near mint This DYLABY catalogue is one of the top three most sought-after and coveted Stedelijk Museum catalogues. It also includes the separate exhibition plan, making it even more special. The catalogue’s photographs were taken by Ed van der Elsken, further adding to its value. It is currently on display in the permanent exhibition at the Tinguely Museum, noted as catalog number 314.

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Bridget Riley (continued)

A captivating exhibition featuring the enigmatic paintings of Bridget Riley is currently on display at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. The large, hypnotic canvasses showcase intricate waves of vibrant color patterns that draw the viewer in. Riley’s art is one that requires time and exposure to truly appreciate. It was in the early sixties when her art career took flight, heavily influenced by renowned artist Vasarely. In no time, she emerged as one of the leaders of the op-art movement, and in 1965 she had her first major exhibition at the MOMA in New York. She was also prominently featured in the prestigious RESPONSIVE EYE exhibition. In the years since, she has honed her craft and developed a highly distinct style, diverging from traditional op-art techniques. Today, her name evokes immediate recognition in art circles. The Gemeentemuseum Den Haag has a special connection with Riley, having hosted an impressive exhibition of her works a decade ago. An exclusive leperello was published in conjunction with the event and is still available at www.ftn-books.com.

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Jacques de Loustal (continued)

Since the early 1980s, I have been an avid admirer of the French comic book artist Jacques de Loustal, widely known as Loustal. He pioneered a unique form of comic book art, utilizing illustrations to convey complete scenes or stories within a single frame. With his masterful illustrations, he invites readers to use their imagination and immerse themselves in his intricate storytelling. Today, his books are published and appreciated worldwide. In the Netherlands, his works are primarily released by Oog & Blik, while in his home country of France, his books and prints were mainly published during his early career. One of his most notable works is WHAT HE EXPECTED OF HER, offering an adult perspective on marriage and relationships. As a highly recommended title, this captivating piece showcases the brilliance of this artist and can be purchased at www.ftn-books.com.

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Edward Kienholz – The beanery (1927-1994)

Crafted by a mortal, Edward Kienholz (1927–1994), The Beanery, a 1965 enigma of art, holds its roots in Kienholz’s regular waterhole, The Original Beanery on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. It took the visionary artist six months to manifest his local bar’s essence in this masterpiece. The installation’s execution is characterized by its life-size components, from the figures, modeled after Kienholz’s acquaintances and comrades, to the bar, beer and liquor bottles, ashtrays, cash register, telephone book, and jukebox. Even the photographs adorning the walls are replicas of those at The Original Beanery.

A surprising detail in the artwork is Kienholz’s decision to represent each patron of the bar with a clock for a face, a nod to his fascination with time. The only exception is the bartender, a replica of Barney, the original bar-owner, who retains a human face. Sound, scent, and sight come together seamlessly, creating a sensory experience that visitors are invited to immerse themselves into. The unmistakable aroma of a typical bar is yet another signature of Kienholz’s genius work. To attain the desired scent, the artist concocted a special recipe, blending beer, rancid fat, urine, mothballs, and cigarette ash. The restoration team at the Stedelijk Museum recreated this scent paste multiple times, using ammoniac instead of urine. To reinforce the essence of mortality and transience, the installation is coated with a synthetic resin, enhanced by the brown color scheme signifying aging and decay.

As a time capsule, The Beanery encapsulates the attitudes and events of the era. The sign at the entrance, “faggots stay out,” exemplifies the bigotry present in American society at the time. Meanwhile, the newspaper dispenser by the door displays a headline from 1964, reflecting the United States’ impending war with Vietnam. The inspiration for The Beanery struck Kienholz in 1958, but he only began work on August 28, 1964, after reading the headline “Children Kill Children in Vietnam Riots” during a visit to the real bar. The jarring juxtaposition between the “real time” represented by the newspaper and the “surreal time” of the bar’s atmosphere is a powerful commentary on the passing of time in relation to societal issues.

www.ftn-books.com has the Stedelijk Museum publication on Kienholz available.

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Vormen van de Kleur design By Wim Crouwel

A remarkable publication ensconced within the annals of the Stedelijk Museum is the VORMEN VAN DE KLEUR catalogue. This collector’s item features a cassette containing biographies for all the artists involved, including the likes of Donald Judd, along with four original silkscreens. Only 2200 copies of the silkscreen edition were released, all featuring a palette of red, white, and blue.

Notable names such as Ellsworth Kelly, William Turnbull, Bob Bonies, and K.G. Pfahler were invited to contribute to the collection with their own square silkscreens, making it a challenge for designer Wim Crouwel to create a suitable container for the loose pages and silkscreens. Opting for a larger size of 10.2 x 10.2 inches, Crouwel deemed this publication to be a significant addition to the Stedelijk Museum’s history, and rightfully so. It is undoubtedly one of the museum’s most prized catalogues and a must-have for avid collectors of Stedelijk Museum material or publications by Wim Crouwel.

Exclusive to readers of the FTN-books blog, a discount of $50.00 is now available for this item. Simply use the code CrouwKel when placing your order, but hurry as there is only one copy left in stock.

The catalogue was elegantly designed by Wim Crouwel and remains in near-mint condition, as depicted in the accompanying picture. With all 27 sheets and silkscreens in mint condition, this book measures 10.6 x 10.6 inches, while the silkscreens measure 10.2 x 10.2 inches. VORMEN VAN DE KLEUR/NEW SHAPES OF COLOUR showcases four silkscreens by Ellsworth Kelly, Bob Bonies, Georg-Karl Pfahler, and William Turnbull in shades of blue and red. Published by the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in 1966, the edition features original wrappers and black and white illustrations throughout, highlighting the trends in abstract art over the past decade. Some of the notable names featured include Josef Albers, Donald Judd, Frank Stella, Victor Vasarely, Max Bill, and Peter Struycken. Printed in limited edition of 2200, this collection comes in a slipcase/sleeve for preservation and presentation.

available at www.ftn-books.com

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Gerd Arntz (continued)

Every now and then one has a little luck in buying art books. Among the items i bought from Arlette Brouwers i found a publication from 1941 by the Dutch Railroad company. They publshed a yearly booklet on the NEDERLANDSE SPOORWEGEN and the no. III with the series contained the Isotype illustrations SArntz has become famous for. It is a highly collectible item and is now available at www.ftn-books.com.

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Willem van Hest (1953)

Willem van Hest is a skilled draftsman, painter, and graphic artist. He documents his work and others through a variety of mediums, from diaries and letters to interviews, portraits, and articles. Prices start at 35 euros.

Themes often revolve around the human experience, including portraiture, nudity, and his hometown of Rotterdam. He is open to assignments, such as screen printing, portraits, exhibitions, and murals. His exhibitions, often incorporating multiple disciplines such as poetry and music, have been showcased in galleries, fairs, and museums both nationally and internationally.

One of his greatest passions is community art projects, which he has been involved in since 2005 with other artists, including Ron Blom. Projects have included “Havenzicht on Stilts” with the homeless, “World Tulips from Rotterdam” with primary school students, and collaborations with seniors and Slovenian artists. In recent years, he has focused on exploring societal issues through his art. His work raises questions about what is truly important in life and how to convey that, always in partnership with others, in the most impactful and inspiring ways through both visual and written expression. Some of these themes include Paulus, idealism, the sublime and transformation, and celebrating the last phase of life. He has also explored the topic of love through projects in the Proveniersbuurt in Rotterdam-Noord, Schiedam, and Kralingen-Crooswijk.

Additionally, he has collaborated with both artists and non-artists on nature projects, including three seasons in the gardens and arboretum of Trompenburg (2017). In 2019, he spent a year in the Botanic Garden Kralingen with eight artists and also had an exhibition in Schiedam towards the end of the year.

www.ftn-books.com has the SCHILDERSDAGBOEK publication now available.

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Marc Mulders (continued)

A few years ago a devoted a blog to A TRAVEL TO ROME by Marc Mulders and now i found that people have missed this important publication. So i make this once again available for all readers and Mulders admirers.