A Book About Death: Homage to Ray Johnson

The Nuovo Archivio International  Biblioteca Artist’s Book  /NABILA-FLUXUS/ Treviso, curated by Virginia Milici) presents an exhibition in homage to Ray Johnson with reference to the first ABAD exhibition by Paris-based American artist Matthew Rose.

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH was a fantastic Mail-Art exhibition and performance which took place at The Emily Harvey Foundation, New York in September 2009, a project curated by Matthew Rose.

I took part in this show with great enthusiasm, collaborating on a mail-art piece with the artist Walter Festuccia. Since then, I have continued to participate in all of the subsequent projects linked to the initial exhibition.  The show has traveled the world with new projects and new forms of participation. The various exhibitions have been documented in an archival blog touching upon all aspects of ABAD.

I first heard about this project in 2009 while working through the death of my mother, who died of a melanoma in December 2007, which along with my passion for mail-art prompted my decision to participate.  In May 2010 my father, who was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, worsened by Alzheimer’s,  died.  I think of death as part of life, this for me is a much felt argument.  After much contemplation I decided to continue and to bring this exhibition to Italy.  I contacted Matthew to ask for his approval and support in developing this new version of his project.  His response was positive and enthusiastic, I would like to publicly thank him for this and announce an invitation to all of the artists who took part in the first project as well as all subsequent ABAD exhibitions to participate in this new call:

The exhibition will take place in the 
 Chiesa Sconsacrata di S.Antonio Piazza La Rotonda di Badoere Comune Morgano (Treviso) Italy

(The Organisers reserve the right to change the date and location of the exhibition)

Mail to:

e-mail: arte@virginiamilici.org