I READ, 2017

Basel 2018
I READ

michèle didier

Work on Paper
Set of 6 volumes in a natural wooden box
Limited edition of 50 numbered copies and 10 H.C.
28.6 x 23.1 x 5.1 （厘米）
11.3 x 9.1 x 2.0 （吋）
On Kawara "I READ" Set of 6 volumes in a natural wooden box Total of 3272 pages 28.65 x 23.1 x 5.1 cm each volume Vol. 1 = 544 pages - The first volume begins on October 2, 1966 and ends on May 15, 1968 Vol. 2 = 544 pages - The second volume begins on May 16, 1968 and ends on February 24, 1971 Vol. 3 = 548 pages - The third volume begins on February 25, 1971 and ends on December 20, 1974 Vol. 4 = 544 pages - The fourth volume begins on December 21, 1974 and ends on December 21, 1980 Vol. 5 = 548 pages - The fifth volume begins on December 28, 1980 and ends on March 27, 1989 Vol. 6 = 544 pages - The sixth volume begins on April 9, 1989 and ends on December 28, 1995 Natural wooden box: 37 x 41 x 31.5 cm Limited edition of 50 numbered copies and 10 H.C. Produced in 2017 by One Million Years Foundation and mfc-michèle didier Published in 2017 by mfc-michèle didier ©2017 The Estate of On Kawara and mfc-michèle didier Unlike the three parts of the "Trilogy", "I GOT UP", "I WENT" and "I MET", published respectively in 2008, 2007 and 2004, I READ by On Kawara is not a daily work but is connected to the "Today Series", artwork gathering all the "Date Paintings" realized from 1966 to the eve of the death of the artist, in 2014. If I READ also begins in 1966 and stops in 1995, by publishing "I READ" post-mortem, mfc-michèle didier respects the last will of the artist to pursue the work until his death. On both sides of each of the 3272 lined paper sheets that make up the the piece, On Kawara has meticulously pasted annotated and dated press cuttings. Pages are lled with juxtaposed or layered articles from daily newspapers. There are no apparent links between the cuttings themselves besides the date on which the events related took place, meaning the dates on the selected newspapers occasionally differ slightly from the one written on the top of the page belonging to "I READ". Each sheet corresponds to a day when On Kawara completed a "Date Painting". "I READ" is thus directly linked to the "Today Series" and each page is corresponding to a "Date Painting". The artist’s interest in world news as well as the rhythm of the work of painting by On Kawara are revealed in "I READ".