Page 54 - Studio International - September 1972

number of exhibitions until some years ago, and the sense of a balanced exhibition of different
it is now open again. Editions Christofle have conceptions, methods and materials, and
conceived the idea of putting drawings by because all the objects literally had to fit into a
artists on plates. Some are porcelain, others single transportable unit. The pack was then
silver or plate. In the latter case the work is completed with a catalogue, artists' biographies,
etched into the metal. Whether you want to eat and study guides, as well as the display module
your porridge off a poem by Lise Deharme designed for an average-sized room, or even a
(painted by Leonor Fini), I leave to you. Even lobby.
if the principle is a little bizarre, prices are The most traditional objects in the package
reasonable-8o NF for a porcelain plate, 200 NF are the silkscreen prints of Rita Latendre and
for the engraving itself plus the basic cost of Don Jean Louis; Kim Ondaatje contributes a
whatever metal you choose. serigraph, incorporating photo-litho. Tony
Even if the present prospect for multiples Urquhart and Jacques Schyrgens (the latter of
in Paris is poor, I doubt if this means that the Belgian origin) use screen processes on wood
end is near for them. The kinetic sections of the and styrofoam panels respectively. There are
controversial 'Comparaisons' exhibition were four metal sculptures; aluminium works by
easily the strongest, and much of the work the Israeli Kosso Eloul, who now lives in
there would easily transfer into multiple. Any Toronto, English-born Raymond Spiers, and
loss of confidence is in the galleries, not the Arthur Handy; McCleary Drope uses chromed
studios. Editions Christofle might at least keep metal rods in a six-unit construction.
the idea of the multiple alive until someone The total package is being promoted at
finds the courage to make genuine unlimited $200, excluding transport, but the final price
multiples at a cost people can afford Though might be lower if orders come up to expectation.
there's still the Eiffel Tower q The low cost is related to the elimination of
CONWAY LLOYD MORGAN middle-men and the non-profit-making nature
of the venture. Manufacturers, however, are
being paid ordinary industrial rates, and the
Artario '72 artists, in addition to the initial fees, will
receive 5 per cent of the selling price on each
package, and io per cent on additional sales
On October i the Ontario Arts Council of their own objects. Having devised the scheme
launches an unusual scheme of multiplied art on the lines of the Swedish plan, persuaded
at 150o 'art galleries' in Canada on the same the artists, chosen the objects, and put them
day. Not, perhaps, art galleries in the normal into production, Peeter Sepp then set about
sense, since the scheme includes its own setting finding 1500 buyers. The original grant of
so that schools, youth clubs, church halls, $25,000 soon went in fees. Sepp by-passed art
community centres and public libraries can, galleries and the usual exhibition outlets. The
for the occasion, be converted into galleries. object, after all, in his own words, was that
Artario 72 is a package deal of twenty-one art `we'd like more people to know—maybe
objects, in unlimited editions, fitting into a case own—the works of Canadian artists. We think
which converts into folding display stands. more people can, given the opportunity'.
Peeter Sepp, Visual Arts Officer of the Ontario Thus Sepp sought 'places where people will
Arts Council, who devised the scheme with ordinarily go. Where they don't have to get
William Pool, visited Sweden at the beginning dressed up. Just drop in and pick it up and fool
of this year to study a prototype experiment around. Maybe even decide that they want one
sponsored by Swedish trade unions. The just like it'. He even tried to arrange
Swedes had invited a number of leading artists exhibitions in jails, but whilst the authorities
to design objects suitable for industrial seemed receptive, they were concerned lest
reproduction. Eventually fifteen items were some of the works of art might become
produced, packed into a portable display unit, `weapons in the wrong hands'. To reach the
which was shown in 1200 schools, to an desired audience Sepp has even announced:
audience of 750,00o, in a single evening. `If your institution or community wishes to
Impressed by the success of this venture, participate, but is unable to raise the nominal
(Top)
Le Parc Sepp persuaded the Ontario Arts Council to cost, please write and give us some details.
/2/2LP 1970 allocate $25,000 for a similar effort, teamed up With luck, we may find some sponsors for
Enamelled metal, aluminium, Plexiglas, silkscreen with William Poole, a local industrial designer, needy deals in Ontario.'
16 x 16 x 2 in. Edition zoo.
Denise René and asked fifty artists living in Ontario to The scheme is educational in the widest
produce designs for low-cost art objects in sense, apart from attempting to make the
(Centre) editions of 1000 plus. The artists were paid work of Canadian artists better known in their
Ted Bieler
Uxmal $50 for each idea submitted and a further $200 own locality. It is inspired by the basic
Plastic, unlimited for those selected. Elimination was relatively philosophy of multiples as works of art
Artario easy, since judgment was not based primarily designed for mass production methods, so that
on quality or originality, but on a combination by implication as well as intent they are
(Above)
Arthur Handy of these and suitability for editioning processes. available to the widest public, at the kind of
Aluminium Multiple Finally twenty-one objects were chosen. prices such a public can afford. At the time of
Solid cast aluminium, 34 x 8 x 8 in.
Unlimited, Artario Another important element in the choice was going to press, Artario 72 is well launched and
the requirement to present a package, both in Peeter Sepp is convinced of success. q

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