A book tracing the archive and history of New York City’s most prolific artist collective, “Collaborative Projects Inc. (aka Colab).” Formed by young artists active in downtown New York from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, the group advocated a form of cultural activism that was purely artist-driven, creating artworks, curating exhibitions, and engaging in discourse that responded to the social themes and predicaments of the time. Its members included Jimmy DeSana, Jenny Holzer, Kiki Smith, and others.
With extensive documentation of the printed material and media steadily produced in the course of its collaborative undertakings, as well as many firsthand accounts, this book introduces the diverse aesthetics and concerns of the group involved in various projects, including “The Real Estate Show” and “The Times Square Show.” This second printing comes in a black cover, a striking departure from the white cover of the first printing.
An archival history of New York City’s most prolific artist collective, including Jimmy DeSana, Jenny Holzer, Kiki Smith and more
This book traces the output of Collaborative Projects Inc. (aka Colab), the highly energetic gathering of young downtown New York City artists active from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. Advocating a form of cultural activism that was purely artist-driven, the group created artworks, curated shows and engaged in discourse that responded to the political themes and predicaments of its time. With extensive documentation of the printed material and media steadily produced in the course of its collaborative undertakings, as well as many firsthand accounts, the book displays the diverse aesthetics and concerns of the group as it embarked on The Real Estate Show, The Times Square Show and other projects.
Edited by Printed Matter’s former executive director Max Schumann, the full-color publication presents a detailed view of Colab—both through the work created and in the artists’ own voices—and represents the fullest account of Colab’s output to date. This second printing comes at a time of renewed and heightened interest in a bygone era of New York City’s vibrant arts culture.
Artists include: Liza Béar, Jimmy DeSana, Jane Dickson, Bradley Eros, Barbara Ess, Coleen Fitzgibbon, Jenny Holzer, Ann Messner, Alan W. Moore, James Nares, Marcia Resnick, Judy Rifka, Christy Rupp, Kiki Smith, Reese Williams, Robin Winters.
ISBN: 9780894390852
softcover
260 pages
170 x 240 mm
color, black and white
limited edition of 1,500 copies
2024
SECOND EDITION
published by PRINTED MATTER
