Juergen Teller, Self Service

I’m not a huge fan of limited editions. Simply adding a signed print to a book, even with a slipcase, does not add much to an artist’s book quality. Often, it is simply a non-creative way to feed an exclusive collectible market. There are a few exceptions to that rule however.
Juergen Teller’s Self Service #31 limited edition is one of them. This biannual fashion magazine celebrated Teller’s work with this hardcover special release of the magazine, signed and numbered by the artist, where all pages that were initially not referring to Teller’s images have been left blank. The result is a book with a true “artist book” feeling, mostly white, with different paper qualities. And of course, the book comes with a signed C-Print, actually a nice one (I sometimes think that photographers choose minor images for limited editions…), very typical of Juergen Teller “white flash” light.
At a moderate price tag of 160 EUR, it's a wonderful addition.

“Riley and his story” vs “Why Mister Why”

What’s the difference between a witness and a photojournalist ?

Two of the most interesting war photography books of these past years, “Riley and his story” and “Why Mister why” both deal with Iraq. They both share a rough approach to book design (Why Mister why is printed on magazine stock for instance), perhaps a way to get the closest possible to field reality: harsh, ugly.

The main difference lies in the photographer’s eye. While Geert Van Kesteren was a journalist embedded with US troops, Riley Sharbonno was part of these troops. More precisely, Riley was part of the medical staff at Abu Ghraib facilities. This unique point of view yields with striking images, non professional ones, sometimes naïve, sometimes unbearable. Flipping through the book is a true experience, which makes “Riley and his story” a must read.

February in London, contemporary art auctions

Next week, London will see a new round of contemporary art auctions. As in 2009, there are fewer lots, with a focus on quality. In a dream world, here are a few lots I would happily bid on:

At Philips de Pury:

WOLFGANG TILLMANS

(Untitled) Las Vegas, 2000

Cibachrome print in the artist's frame. 171.5 × 145.1 cm (67 1/2 × 57 1/8 in). Signed 'Wolfgang Tillmans' and numbered of one on the reverse. This work is from an edition of one plus an artist's proof.

30.000£-40.000£

In my view, this Tillmans image ranks amongst his best works. It was the cover image of the “View from above” book. Philips de Pury’s catalog says it well: “The beautiful urban nightscape is broken up by a series of gleaming lines and marks spread across the picture’s surface like the slashing, gestural brushstrokes of an abstract painter.”

At Christies:

Peter FISCHLI & David WEISS

Airport (Paris Air France)

signed and dated '2000 Fischli David Weiss' (on the backing board)

Cibachrome print. 60 x 83 5/8in. (152.4 x 212.4cm.)

Executed in 2000, this work is number three from an edition of six

18.000£-22.000£

Fischli&Weiss Airport Series is one of my favourite body of works (and an excellent book, too). This will sound odd, but the print is rather cheaply priced here. There is room for surprise on the upside, though this particular image could be judged a little bit too dark.

At Christies:

WADE GUYTON

Untitled, executed in 2005.

EPSON ULTRACHROME INKJET ON LINEN

30 7/8 X 24 7/8in. (78.5 X 63cm.)

20.000£-30.000£

Christies will auction three works by Wade Guyton. I will get a close look at results, as Wade Guyton works are very scarce both on the primary and secondary markets. This “painting”, most notably, is typical of Guyton’s inkjet works.