Peter Downsbrough LINK
LINK is the 100th book by American conceptual artist, Peter Downsbrough. LINK is priceless and it cannot be bought. The only way you can secure a copy of this limited edition, eight-paged, saddle-stitched book, is through a trade or swap. Downsbrough has created a minimalist, delicate volume in a limited edition of 300, which connects the reader to the author as it aims to establish a book within the flooded shelves that evades the usual rules of the market and creates a direct LINK between the author and the reader.
I wanted one. I wanted a priceless connection, goddammit. So, after trawling my collection of hoarded books, I came across a bunch of old shit from high school.
I sent Peter Downsbrough, minimalist master, a broken-down, offensively vandalised book of Salvador Dali.
The book was from my grade nine high school art class, mostly likely stolen, or borrowed, then vandalised and too scared to return to it to the library. Every single page had some kind of fuck-off message about how much I loathed Dali.
I don't remember doing it but there's clearly some urgency in the text, or maybe just angsty, misplaced hormonal rage. Or maybe scrawled in an automatic writing exercise that our teacher had learnt at her annual art and "let's smoke weed till shit looks good" festival.
We were forced to study him but I thought he was a cunt...I was an angry and acne prone teenager, though. So shut up.
To my surprise, a neatly wrapped, minimalist package arrived in my mailbox containing my connection to one of my favourite artists...of this month anyway.
me: What was the catalyst for this project?
Markus Hartmann: The artists’ book LINK that we are “trading” is the 100th book by the American conceptual artist Peter Downsbrough (°1940, New Jersey, lives in Brussels) and was created on the occasion of his itinerary exhibition The Book(s) 1968-2013, an overview at the new centre for contemporary arts Fabra I Coats in Barcelona (22.02-19.05.2013) of all his publications made since 1968. LINK is the result of a collaboration between the artist and the curator of the exhibition, Moritz Küng, in which Hatje Cantz became involved as co-publisher. Most particular is that this book, counting only several pages and having a print run of only 300 copies – can’t be bought. An additional loose coversheet, specially designed by Downsbrough – states: “This book is not for sale and can only be acquired by trading it for another book”.
me: How hands on was Peter Downsbrough in the creation of each book?
Markus Hartmann: Downsbrough designed all his books by himself, except some exhibition catalogues which were realised in close collaboration with graphic designers. Since the artist considers his books as objects, or if you like as sculptures, he developed the content, structure and visual aspect of the books all by himself. And that happened with LINK as well, except that it was the curator who came up with the “trade” idea.
me: What are the criteria for people to receive a book?
Markus Hartmann: The print run of 300 copies has been split in equal parts between Peter Downsbrough, Moritz Küng and Hatje Cantz. All one has to do is send or give a book of their choice to either the artist, the curator or the publishing house in exchange for a copy of LINK, as long as supply lasts. One little remark for potential collectors: It helps to include one’s postal address when sending us books. Some people have sent us books without any indication where to send their LINK copy.
me: Why is the book essentially free?
Markus Hartmann: I guess that’s the result of the discussion between the artist and the curator. As a matter of fact Peter Downsbrough dislikes the term “Artists’ Book” and the fetishism going along with it. He considers his own publications “just books” and in that sense, accessible to everybody. Maybe LINK marks the beginning of a new economy where money is becoming obsolete because it is just a worthless concept in itself, isn’t it?
me: What will the artist be doing with all the submissions?
Markus Hartmann: I guess that none of us really knows. The trade of 300 copies will result in a library of 300 diverse books and maybe that library will become part of an exhibition. However, all traders and their titles will be listed and representing a “linked community”.
me: What kind of content can the contributor expect to read, or is it a blank notebook or something completely abstract?
Markus Hartmann: From a normal book trade point of view LINK is certainly an unconventional book by the sheer fact of its eight page volume. Related to Peter Downsbrough’s oeuvre of books, the simplicity and the visual concept of LINK is comparable with his series A PLACE from 1977 which counts up to date six volumes referring to different cities (Düsseldorf, 1977; New York, 1977; Vienna, 2011; Paris, 2012 and Barcelona, 2013). LINK contains four elements: one image – a photograph taken in Brussels, a Two Linedrawing – Downsbrough’s signature work, the two words “the” and “then” – which are part of the artist’s vocabulary based on adjectives, adverbs, verbs and prepositions, and three blank pages – which represents according to the artist “the space in between”. Indeed, one could call it “abstract”, although everything in this book is what it is: an image, a line, a word, a void.
me: What are some of the books you’ve received so far?
Markus Hartmann: All kinds. People traded other artists’ books including Richard Long, Lawrence Weiner, catalogues of Antoni Gaudi, Raoul Hausmann, literature (George Steiner), travel guides, maps and even cookbooks. Some people include elaborate explanations as to why they sent this or that book. Some people sent their exchange copy without any comment. And some people forgot to give us their address!
me: Are there any restrictions to what people can send in, regarding content?
Markus Hartmann: No. No restrictions at all. It should be, to use the words of Peter Downsbrough – “just a book”.
"No Restrictions" :)