MoMA performance, 1970. 24 pink envelopes, each 80mm x 40mm, with 24 one-page “books”, each 40mm x 40mm
These objects were part of a performance given by Byars at MoMA on the opening night of an exhibition honoring Gertrude and Leo Stein.
Byars, who read deeply into Stein’s writing, chose 100 sentences he liked and printed them as one-page “books” in microscopic font on tiny squares of paper. Each book was put in a pink envelope, and contrary to the wishes of the museum, given to opening night attendees, December 17, 1970.
This work was loaned to MoMA PS1 for the exhibition James Lee Byars: 1/2 an Autobiography, which ran from 15 June to 7 September 2014.
JAMES LEE BYARS 