During an artist book workshop held in Poestenkill, NY in August 1997, at the invitation of Gunnar Kaldewey, four publishers of artist books agreed to organize a tour of exhibitions in an unspecified number of places on four continents over the next few years. These exhibitions of The Rocket Four are intended to increase the visibility of artist books beyond those efforts and activities each press does on its own. The somewhat obscure name is indebted to Luis Angel Parra (of Arte Dos Gráfico), who uses a rocket gesture as a symbol of activity, optimism and zest for life.
Since 1999, exhibitions of the artists' books of The Rocket Four have been held, among other places, at the Julie Cencebaugh Gallery in New York, NY; the Deutsche Bucherei in Leipzig, Germany; Galerie Depping in Münster; the Stiftung Buchkunst (at the Deutsche Bibliothèk) in Frankfurt; the Luis Angel Arango Library, in Bogotá, Colombia; the Lilly Library, Indiana University: and Contemporary Arts Forum in Santa Barbara, California.
A catalog that features the work of these four presses, with a cover drawing by Richard Tuttle, is available. Produced in Stuttgart by Cantz, it has an introductory essay by Dr. Wulf von Lucius printed in English, Spanish, French and German. The catalog, divided into four sections, presents a complete bibliography (up to 1999) and 16 pages of color reproductions of selected work from each press. The paperbound book measures 8.5” x 13”, 112 pages. Price: $20. A hardbound copy costs $40.
For information about CAF, see: http://www.sbcaf.org
Harry Reese, Professor
Print & Book Arts. Department of Art
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
(805) 893-4624 office • (805) 893-7206 fax
reese@arts.ucsb.edu • http://www.turkeypress.net