AVALANCHE NO. 1 - FALL 1970 [JOSEPH BEUYS COVER]

AVALANCHE NO. 1 - FALL 1970

Published by: Kineticism Press New York, NY, 1970

Softcover, 84 pages

24 X 24 cm

Language: English

Condition: Excellent

Avalanche No. 1 is a landmark publication in the evolution of contemporary art magazines. Created by Liza Béar and Willoughby Sharp, Avalanche serves as a unique hybrid between a magazine, an artist book, and an exhibition space in print. Launched in 1968, Avalanche sought to explore and document the ever-evolving art scene of the 1960s and 1970s, with a particular focus on conceptual art, performance, new media, video, and emerging art forms.
This first issue of Avalanche includes contributions from prominent figures in the conceptual and minimalist movements, such as Robert Smithson, Dennis Oppenheim, Michael Heizer, Joseph Beuys, Richard Long, Carl Andre, and Jan Dibbets, among others. These artists were given total control over their contributions, with Avalanche functioning as a platform for the experimental and boundary-pushing works of the time.
The magazine's content includes avant-garde texts, photographs, essays, and visual art, all aiming to break the traditional molds of the art world. The focus is on process-driven works, performance art, and video art, reflecting the period's exploration of new mediums and artistic expressions. Avalanche also stands out for its examination of the "cult of personality" surrounding contemporary artists, as reflected in its striking cover portraits.
Béar and Sharp’s editorial philosophy sought to empower the artists, giving them full creative freedom to express their vision within the pages of the magazine. The format of Avalanche, with its bold design and visually rich pages, reflects the experimental spirit of the era and positions it as an essential document of the avant-garde movements in art.
Given its avant-garde nature, Avalanche No. 1 remains a significant and rare artifact of the art world, capturing the essence of a transformative time in art history. It offers insight into the revolutionary works and ideas that were shaping the artistic landscape at the time.