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Motto Storefront: Avalanche Launch and Screening

June 5, 2010, 2pm / Motto Storefront transforms Artspeak into a temporary space for the sale, presentation, and discussion of contemporary art publishing. The selection of printed matter for the store has been made by Motto, a Berlin and Zürich-based bookstore and distributor specializing in experimental, small run, and self-published artist books, magazines, and fanzines.

Motto Storefront is organized by Artspeak and Fillip, with Motto, Berlin and takes place at Artspeak, 233 Carrall Street. The store is open Tuesday to Sunday 12 – 5pm.

Motto Storefront provides the context for a series of related public programming intended to create a sustained dialogue within Vancouver on issues related to the production and consumption of art publishing. Formed around an ongoing, ad hoc residency program with international publishers, designers, artists, and booksellers, this series will take the form of weekly talks, workshops, and launches investigating alternative retail models, self-initiated design practices, and small scale publishing initiatives.

On Saturday, June 5th, we are proud to host the Vancouver launch of the complete facsimile edition Avalanche magazine published by Primary Information, New York. Originally produced between 1970 and 1976, Avalanche focussed on art from the perspective of artists rather than critics. Aside from an 8-page news section, the editorial content included only interviews, artists’ texts and documents of art and art making. Nearly all interviews were conducted by founding editors Willoughby Sharp and Liza Béar. Among the featured artists were Vito Acconci, Laurie Anderson, Joseph Beuys, Barbara Dilley, Hanne Darboven, Philip Glass, Sol LeWitt, Gordon Matta-Clark, Meredith Monk, Bruce Nauman, Dennis Oppenheim, Yvonne Rainer, Robert Smithson, Lawrence Weiner, and Jackie Winsor, amongst many others. Limited quantities of the edition are available and preordering is strongly encouraged. Email office@fillip.ca for details.

The launch will be accompanied by a screening of an informal videotaped interview (or “videoview”) between artist and Avalanche founder Willoughby Sharp and Vito Acconci recorded in 1973. The video runs about an hour, and will begin promptly at 2:30, followed by a reception.

image: Lawrence Weiner on the cover of the Spring 1972 issue of Avalanche.