l'art redevient l'art / kunst wordt terug kunst

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In this collection of writings by the artist, we find a series of reflections about the concept of the exhibition, the responsibility of the artist, the organizers and the viewers. Fabro begins by stating, “A one-man show or a group exhibition, small or large, important or not, is, above all – or should be – a celebration of art.” This celebration, however, may be less dependent on the works exhibited than it is on the organizing concept that contextualizes them. Fabro’s texts, both lucid and challenging, demand that art be seen in context, and not just as a single, autonomous element. Ref.1

A lucid commentary on the nature of art as given in a series of lectures by the artist, from 1987-1988. Ref.3

- Luciano Fabro (1936 Torino - 2007 Milano) was an Italian sculptor, conceptual artist and writer. He was involved in the Arte Povera group, which was interested in experimenting with industrial and natural materials, focusing on process, language and the body. Fabro's best known works were sculptural reliefs of Italy made out of glass, steel, bronze, gold and even soft leather. The signature unorthodox, 'poor' materials in his works include steel tubes, cloth, newspapers, and wax;[3] the artist, however, often used also traditional and expensive art materials such as gold, marble, and bronze. He has published six books. Ref.4

Imschoot Uitgevers In 1987 publishing house Imschoot (Ghent- Belgium) started an exceptional series of artists’ books made by international artists (Giovanni Anselmo, Sol LeWitt, John Baldessari, Lawrence Weiner, Hanne Darboven, Robert Barry, Christian Boltanski, Dan Graham, a.o.). Ref.5
In addition to the regular softcover edition (500 to 1000 copies), a deluxe hardcover edition was also issued in a very limited edition, numbered and signed by the artists.
The publishing house ceased its activities in 2006.

References

• Ref.1: Imschoot, uitgevers Catalogue 1993-1994, Artists’ books
• Ref.2: IM-series The IM-series is a collection of artists’ books, published on the occasion of the exhibition series “Affinités Sélectives” at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, organized by Bernard Marcadé. The artists were given complete freedom to develop their project, not necessarily matching their exhibition. A constant format of 14,8 x 21 cm. was adopted.
• Ref.3: Imschoot, uitgevers [2002] Catalogue
• Ref.4: Wikipedia
• Ref.5: Johan Pas (Een essay door -), Het kunstenaarsboek in België: de voorzet tot een geschiedenis., Kunstenpunt