New York event of Borgesian interest

[Michael Joseph]

Thanks, Quail. This is an amazing combination of stuff!

Given that the exhibition will be the gallery's inaugural exhibition, and
the curator, Wendy White is a sculptor/painter who tends to do imaginary
landscapes (and has a curatorial background as a curator of prints), I
expect it to be beautifully presented and very graphic. Really something
not to miss.

Volume represents an attempt by the Bostonian "Lame Ducks" to penetrate
the New York art market, and to establish a niche somewhere between
Granary Books (artists' books, fine press), the faintly old world Park
Avenue art book dealers, like Black Sun, Jim Cummings, etc., and the
print/illustration galleries, e.g., Susan Teller, Brooke Editions. I'm
kind of curious how old hidebound book collectors will respond to the
sexing up of rare books.  It seems culturally significant that Volume is
opening just as, because his children are uninterested in running the
business, H.P. Kraus is closing.


Michael



On Thu, 2 Oct 2003, The Great Quail wrote:

> Borges Exhibit
>
> October 2 - November 6, 2003
> Volume Gallery
> 530 West 24th Street
> New York City
>
> From Thursday 2 October until Wednesday 6 November, Volume Gallery, at 530
> West 24th Street (between 10th and 11th) in the heart of the Chelsea art
> district, will host an exhibition of extraordinary rare books and
> manuscripts relating to the great Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges.  Among
> the more than 20 original manuscripts will be numerous poems, essays,
> reviews and stories, including the manuscript of one of his greatest poems,
> "El otro tigre" and three of his most famous stories, "Las ruinas
> circulares," "La loteria en Babilonia" and "La biblioteca de Babel."  Among
> the more than thirty unique and important presentation copies of first
> editions by Borges will be works inscribed by Borges to such intimate
> friends and associates as Victoria Ocampo, Silvina Ocampo, Alfonso Reyes,
> Rafael Cansinos Assens, Xul Solar, Pedro Henriquez Urena, Roberto Godel,
> Norah Borges, Macedonio Fernandez, Norah Lange, Oliverio Girondo, Enrique
> Amorim, Carlos Mastronardi, Roger Caillois and Concepcion Guerrero.  The
> exhibition will also include original photographs and books from the
> master's library.  A lavishly illustrated catalogue of 142 pages prepared by
> poet Charles Vallely and with an introduction by Alberto Manguel, will be
> available at the opening and subsequently.
>
> An inaugural reception will be held on Thursday 2 October from 6-9 PM;
> champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
>
> Accompanying the exhibition, in which hundreds of first editions,
> manuscripts, periodical appearances, illustrated books, inscribed books,
> translations and ephemera will be on display ­ most of it not included in
> the catalogue ­ will be art specifically created for the present event ­
> sculptures by Argentine sculptor Yoel Novoa and paintings, sculpture and
> unique artist's books by German artist Heide Hatry.  In addition, a work
> inspired by a poem by Borges by acclaimed glass artist Josiah McElheny, will
> be on display.
>
> Further information can be obtained by contacting Volume Gallery at
> 212-989-8700 ( volumegallery at yahoo.com ) or Lame Duck Books at 617-407-6271
> ( duck at lameduckbooks.com ).
>
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