Bob Calle's Book on Christian Boltanski's Artist Books
Aurore Wils reviews Bob Calle's book 'Christian Boltanski, livres d'artiste' in art press n°352 (January 2009). The publication examines Boltanski's artist books produced between 1979 and 1990, revealing a close collaboration with Annette Messager, who photographed Boltanski in staged childhood scenes. Calle explores Boltanski's use of borrowed photographs and theatrical setups to address themes of childhood, death, memory, and identity. The book blurs the line between an artist's book and a book about an artist, reflecting Boltanski's ambiguous play between truth and fiction. Boltanski reissued many unsigned, small-edition artist books from the 1960s later in his career. The review highlights Boltanski's statement: 'I made books, inventories, photos and films, but it's the same.'
Key facts
- Book reviewed by Aurore Wils in art press n°352 (January 2009)
- Bob Calle wrote 'Christian Boltanski, livres d'artiste'
- Published by Éditions 591
- Covers Boltanski's artist books from 1979 to 1990
- Annette Messager photographed Boltanski for the books
- Boltanski reissued unsigned, small-edition artist books from the 1960s
- Themes include childhood, death, memory, and identity
- Boltanski uses ambiguity and theatricality in his work
Entities
Artists
- Bob Calle
- Christian Boltanski
- Annette Messager
- Aurore Wils
Institutions
- art press
- Éditions 591
Sources
- artpress —