Just when we got a bit nervous and were about to decide that such a duel probably doesn’t work in the world of art, I got an offer to trade my Uecker multiple for the same Uecker multiple (see the comments in the last post). I thought this was hilarious and if the multiple would have been in the same condition as mine I would have accepted.

After that offer I discussed with Christian and we agreed to call the whole thing off. “Bury it like grown men would”, as Wilhelm Schürmann put it.

And then, out of the blue, I receive another offer that is very tempting … let me explain:

A collector who wishes to remain anonymous for now offered me four issues of “Plages” to choose from. If you allow me to quote from the mail I received:

“‘Plages’ is an art/artists’ magazine which has been produced since 1968 by Roberto Gutierrez, an Argentinean artist who emigrated to Paris in 1963.”

Different artists are invited to participate in the creation of each edition.
Each edition has a different theme.
It is published 4 times a year at 1000 copies or less each.

“After the editions have been printed, the participating artists rework their page in each copy to produce little collages or small original artworks which are unique to every single copy. The original artworks within the copy are usually signed by the respective artist. Each copy of the magazine is like a treasure box of surprises and delights, not only for the little artworks to be found in each one, but also for the actual format of the magazine itself.”

On offer for me are #55, #58, #89 and #112. I’m most interested in #81, the “anniversary edition”, see below:

And I also like #112. The latter because of a particular work in it: “there is an envelope attached to one of the pages in the magazine…on it is written ‘to be opened only after my death’ by Gèrard Bignolais – in the meantime he has died, but I have not opened the envelope…Roberto Gutierrez told me that he believes there is an invitation to Bignolais’ funeral inside!”

So what am I supposed to do? I like them both but I’m supposed to choose only one from them. If I could get the two issues I guess I would fall for them, not only to keep the duel alive but because I like work that deals with books, literature or printed publications in general …

Any thoughts from you out there, to help me make up my mind?