Alexander Dumbadze's Biography Reexamines Bas Jan Ader's Life Beyond His Mysterious Death

In his 2013 publication 'Death Is Elsewhere,' Alexander Dumbadze presents a literary biography of the conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader, delving into his mysterious disappearance at sea in 1975 and various aspects of his life. Dumbadze, who teaches art history at George Washington University, reflects on Ader's Calvinist roots in Holland, the impact of his father's death at the hands of the Nazis, and his affection for Los Angeles. The narrative highlights Ader's renowned falling pieces, such as 'Fall 1, Los Angeles' (1970) and 'Fall 2, Amsterdam' (1970), while questioning the essence of his art. It also uncovers Ader's covert futures market trading in 1972, linking it to artists like Duchamp, Gilbert & George, and Tiravanija. His last project, 'In Search of the Miraculous' (1972–), remained unfinished when his boat was discovered on April 18, 1976, with his body never found.