Mike Kelley: Plato's Cave, Rothko's Chapel, Lincoln's Profile, New City Editions / Artists Space, 1986

Artist’s book, first edition, New City Editions, Venice, California, in association with Artists Space, New York, 1986. Illustrated softcover; 98 pages; 32 black-and-white illustrations; 14 × 20 cm. Designed by Mike Kelley and Patti Podesta.

Condition: good; rubbing, scratching and handling wear to covers; edge and corner wear, small surface losses and creasing along the spine. Original gold “From the Strand Rare Book Room” label retained on the front cover.

Published in connection with Kelley’s wider Plato’s Cave, Rothko’s Chapel, Lincoln’s Profile project, which moved between writing, drawing, installation, music and performance. The book develops the work through an extended text and photographic material rather than functioning as a conventional exhibition catalogue. Kelley performed the work at Artists Space with Molly Cleator and music by Sonic Youth and Adam Rudolph; the project became an important early statement of his collision of philosophical reference, popular culture, comedy and bodily regression.

The Strand label is particularly effective here. A publication originally issued through an artist-run and alternative-space network was later identified, priced and circulated through a rare-book department. The label records that change in status directly on the object: artist’s book, second-hand book, rare book.

Securely packed; tracked UK and international shipping available.