Synopses & Reviews
This slip-cased, two volume publication presents a comprehensive look at the print projects, editions, and artist books of Edward Ruscha.... This monumental book reveals the depths of Ruscha's printmaking process, and offers important insight into the unique aesthetics of a major artist.
Synopsis
This slip-cased, two volume publication presents a comprehensive look at the print projects, editions, and artist books of Edward Ruscha. Sometimes grouped with Pop and Conceptual artists, Ruscha is more aptly placed in a category that bridges both approaches, and his influence on contemporary painting is matched only by his importance as a graphic artist. Ruscha began making editions in 1962, with the publication of an artist's book, Twenty Six Gasoline Stations. It was one of many projects to follow -- each a wordless compendium of banal photographs depicting commonplace items or locations that commented on the sterility and anonymity of the Los Angeles landscape. In the 1970s, Ruscha's unique blend of language, image, and the idea prefigured much of the "word-art" of the 80s, and suggested a linguistic wellspring that Ruscha would continue to tap in his work. This monumental book reveals the depths of Ruscha's printmaking process, and offers important insight into the unique aesthetics of a major artist. Volume One includes some 400 images, a complete catalogue raisonne of Ruscha's editioned print work. Volume Two includes illustrated essays by Siri Engberg and Clive Phillpot, a key to the raisonne the complete raisonne text entries, a bibliography, and exhibition history, as well as Ruscha's "The Information Man."