You make the best plans as an artist: research and conceive an idea, work for weeks and months to compile its elements, set up a studio to take images, test and re-retest compositons, rent a space and hire technicians to help you execute your vision and then...! ...and then, sometimes when it comes together you think: Meh. That's what happened with "Shivatose Abe," the image that came forward as a critique of my own habits of overconsumption, for me, a principal environmental issue of our times.
I made the decision to drop the multi-limbed representation of "Shivatose Abe," itself a reinterpretation of Bernard Picart 18th century rendition of the Hindu God Shiva, close to Christmas time. One day, the idea of using it as the basis of a calendar like the ones that businesses used to give out during the Holiday season in Trinidad - but with the exhibition dates - came to mind, and I thought it would be a nice thing for people at the opening to have. 108 copies were made.
Just after the last image was glued (by hand) to the printed cardboard backing, the museum got in touch to ask to move up the opening date from March 29 to March 21, because the opening's sponsor was so enthusiastic about the work, and changing the dates would allow them to give more support (there's a story there too). Thus, the printed dates and calendar became futile. I saved some of them anyway.
In this "CancelANDILation Welcome Pack," collectors will get a copy of one of the 54 calendars plus a pair of coated, heavy stock color postcards enclosed in an envelope: each one handstamped; the one with the pink stamp might be a keeper and memento; the other is stamped with the address with the exhibition's canceller, you know, in case you have any thoughts to share with them.
The image postcard was the signature image of the show, and I had - at my expense - ordered a pack of them, which of course arrived just after the exhibition was cancelled. That image on the postcard, "Magna Carta," was to have been blown up on a banner covering the front of the Museum, whose location is a highly visible spot to and from the White House. Whether or not that factored into the decision, one can only guess. - Andil Gosine
Unnumbered, unsigned edition
1 8.5" x 11" calendar on heavy stock card, with glued image
2 4" x 6" coated color and stamped postcards
54 available
PRICE INCLUDES UNREGISTERED SHIPPING TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
If you want registered shipping, send us a note after purchase.
Other items to be added intermittently, while we figure this all out.