MUSEUM Magazine: A Project of Living Artists (1970)
The "first-year" issue of this periodical from the loosely organized alternative arts space and group known as MUSEUM, which formed in 1968 in Manhattan, and used a warehouse/loft at 729 Broadway as it's headquarters and exhibition space. The collective began as a group of 8 artists but soon grew to hundreds as no fees or criteria existed to participate or become a member. A 1970 press release (reproduced in the issue) states "MUSEUM is an entirely cooperative organization by and for artists who wish to exhibit, and to speak freely to the public without any commercial requirements or influences"; another statement reads "By creating a new context and community where control is in the hands of the artist-producer, and by providing for our own means of exhibition and communication, we break from the traditional dependent, alienated relationship to those who control the art world".
Groups such as the Art Workers Coalition also used the loft warehouse for meeting space. In 1971 Marjorie Kramer organized an "Open Show of Feminist Art" at MUSEUM and among the 125 participants were Alice Neel, Faith Ringgold, and Juanita McNeely. MUSEUM appears to have lasted until sometime into 1971, but broke apart with some members wanting a more formal structure and others advocating to remain a loose collective. The moniker "A Project of Living Artists" is still claimed by Joseph Catuccio, who taught live drawing classes in Soho for 30 years, but moved to Massachusetts in 2015.
For this publication artists were given a page or two for artwork, writings or statements. Statements and letters are reproduced from G.A.A.G., the Art Worker's Coalition, the Black and Puerto Rican Committee of the AWC, a critique of E.A.T., plus other reproduced MUSEUM documents and show flyers. Some artists listed in the publication as having shown at MUSEUM or participating in this publication include Sharon Brant, Arthur Huges, Robert Resnick, Hal Frater, Lucy Stone, Jeannette Goldston, Richard Horowitz, Gertrude Kasday, Harol Krisel, Hana Lieberman, Nancy Steinson, John Teppich, Roman Watchel, Henry Gilstrap Jr., Lil Picard, Beverly Stanton, Arthur Graham, Joyce Lemke, Stephen Trussel, Billy White, Lois Dicosola, Lucy Lippard, Guerrilla Art Action, X 12, I Gal and Ay-Pompidou, among others.
Offset or mimeo printed in sepia, black and greens. A unique document from an attempt at an early NYC alternative collaborative space. Item #1311.
Condition: Very Good, toning to paper and covers with some light edgewear and soiling; now in a custom-made protective mylar jacket.
Price: $150.00