ADAM ROUSSOPOULOS + JOHN M. BENNETT & ADAM ROUSSOPOULOS

[Bradford]

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Fabulous!

[Mel Anie]

I'm becoming a fan. 

[Bradford]

ARTISTAMP SHEETS

Sweetheart I Had Such A Beautiful Dream About You Last Night which I am abbreviating as, “SIHSABDAYLN”.

SIHSABDAYLN 1-6 (Sheet 1 is unnumbered), sheet of 20, 4 rows of 5 stamps

These are especially vivid in color, complex in design, and imaginatively expressive compositions.  I just wish the viewer could see the images pop off the page.  The fact that they connote a beautiful dream is the stated inspiration.

 

BASQUIAT sheet of 20, 4 rows of 5 stamps

Many are familiar with Basquiat’s colorful, iconoclastic works and his collaboration with Warhol especially.  (I see a connection to one of the Artist’s Books here.)

 

As a visitor to New Orleans for Mardi Gras many times starting at the tender age of 21, I immediately recognized the stamped crowns at the bottom margin which are in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold (order reversed here).  Three colors are used in the flags of Great Britain, France and the USA so three colors were designated in 1872, or so the story goes. Purple is believed to have been chosen as it represents royalty and justice.  Gold was the most regal of the metals and represents power.  A metallic color is required as part of heraldic tradition.  Green is one of the five heraldic colors that hasn’t already been used and is the color of faith.  I especially like these boisterous crowns as Mr. Roussopoulos has rendered them.

 

HEXAGON GARDEN with inscribed Post-It Note™ on reverse side.  Published earlier this week, I received a second copy of this sheet and am including it here both for the note on the reverse side, but also because of the complex perforation array which varies slightly from the prior sheet and shows the handwork necessary to effect it.

 

ARTIST BOOKS

 

1. SIHSABDAYLN

#3 in an edition of 20

6 pgs. + Edition/Signature page, 8½”x5½’, bound at left, plastic comb, ½-inch spacing

 

The images here provide a better view of the images on the Artistamp Sheets to show the complexity and detail.  Still, the scanned images do not appear nearly as striking as the actual works.

The collation of the book is ordered differently from the Artistamp Sheets as the following index shows:

 

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 1 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 4

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 2 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 3

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 3 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 6

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 4 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 1 (unnumbered)

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 5 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 2

SIHSABDAYLN Book pg 6 = ARTISTAMP Sheet 5

 

2. KOBO or Collaboration by John M. Bennett and Adam Roussopoulos

Edition of 12, unnumbered (sequence not indicated)

8 pgs. + Title page, 5½”x8½’, top-bound, plastic comb, ½-inch spacing

Portrait format excepting page 5 which is in landscape

Collage with pen & ink

A very colorful and striking combination of collaged trashpo with added pen & ink inscriptions and Mr. Bennett’s characteristic asemic style.

 

Other Items

 

1. If you look at this page . . .

#3 of an edition of 10

8½”x11”

 

2. Wanted by the Network

8½”x5½”

I received an extra copy of this official-looking notice, signed “AR” on the reverse

 

3. COUPON – FREE Entrance to Heaven

8½”x11”, 2-up

Read this, be honest with yourself, and you’ll understand why it is free.

 

4. GIFT

An actual red rubber stamp, of Mr. Roussopoulos’ design and stated edition of “6 or so”.  I hastily inked it and made a fair impression on the gift page to which it was taped for mailing.  My title for the stamp, (which some may find offensive) is “Nettin’ With a Porpoise”.

 

5. MAILING ENVELOPE

Another panoply of rubber and hand-carved stamps, one of which is solely text and ostensibly cites several inspiring individuals some of which are fellow collaborators. 

I like how the postal clerk made six stampings of the CDS in red.  Hand-cancelled frankings are more and more rare.  Since the last mailing received no hand or machine cancels at all, this was especially welcome.