LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Abstraction

Techniques:

Lithography, Other

Description:

Lithograph, with embossing and punctures

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

sheet: 9 13/16 x 12 11/16" (25 x 32.3 cm)

Signature:

Not signed

Inscription:

An impression of the only state not illustrated here is inscribed: "To Rob 12/25/89."

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

SOLO Impression, New York

Edition:

3 known impressions of the only state

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Not issued as a published edition.

State Changes and Additions:

Matrices:
This composition involved 2 lithography matrices and 1 embossing matrix.

Lithography matrix 1: white background.

Lithography matrix 2: black circular form and text.

Embossing matrix: center of circular form.

Background:

"Parkett" magazine approached Bourgeois with the suggestion of featuring her, with the artist Robert Gober, in one of its issues. This project was to be part of a series in which artists were paired, each being represented by a selection of reproductions and articles, as well as by a multiple work, which would be reproduced in the pages of the magazine and also available in a signed and limited special edition. Bourgeois proposed "The Age of Condom Come" (seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below) and considered proposing "Appointment at 11 a.m." and "Fabrication I." Ultimately, "Reparation" was issued in conjunction with "Parkett 27" in March 1991 (seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below).

Artist’s Remarks:

"The pin holes and the inscription 'appt at 11 am' mean apprehension about a visit. The action is the same as doing petit point... but it is also not so far from stabbing. It is trying to turn something aggressive into something pleasurable... it is the conversion of negative to positive. The same tools can really do both things... a pin and needle can be part of stabbing or part of repairing." (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. "The Prints of Louise Bourgeois." New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 161.)

Curatorial Remarks:

The center of the circular form was slightly embossed to prepare the area of the paper that was poked with a needle. The resulting punctures pierce the raised paper, creating a bumpy, textured surface.

Former Cat. No.:

W & S 89

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

535.1993

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY