Ray Johnson (1) (1927–1995)

This is a book and an exhibition which deals with the work of Ray Johnson (1927-1955); the American artist who is probably best known as the inventor of an artistic practice that came to be known as “mail art” and as the initiator of the international mail art movement. A product of the 1960’s, mail art was one of the several art movements that tried to create an alternative space for art - a space that would be radically social and interactive, intermedial and performative. Mail art show more seemed to focus explicitly on the communicational aspects of both art production and reception, creating a huge network of correspondents who could communicate and exchange objects and messages through the postal system. Ray Johnson developed the basic principles of this practice from the mid-50’s onwards, and participated in the ever-growing network until his death. show less

This catalogue accompanied an exhibition of the same name at the Goldie Paley Gallery of the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia from November 1 to December 15, 1991. The exhibition was guest curated by Phyllis Stigliano and Janice Parente as a follow-up to their 1984 show at the Nassau County Museum of Fine Art, Works by Ray Johnson.

The catalogue includes a foreword by Goldie Paley Gallery Director Elsa Longhauser and the essay “The Mailed Art of Ray Johnson” by Clive Phillpot.