Robert Barry Something in a box, 2014
Specifications
Walnut wooden box, 17.4 x 12.4 x 4.9 cm
The text on the box top is silkcreened in black.
Contains 62 statements printed on index cards Each index cards measures 10.2 x 15.2 cm
Printed on Splendorgel paper 300g
Printed by Arte-Print
Box made by Nekto
Production
Edition of 24 numbered and signed copies and 6 artist's proofs
Certificate numbered and signed by the artist
Produced and published by mfc-michèle didier in 2014
©2014 Robert Barry and mfc-michèle didier
NB: All rights reserved. No part of this edition may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission of the artist and the publisher.
SOMETHING IN A BOX gives the opportunity to replay on another scale — 10,2 x 15,2 cm — the measurements of the card — here 62 — that were distributed about fourty years ago. We are confronted with a box made of walnut wood, containing 62 index cards. Each card of SOMETHING IN A BOX proposes a different statement by Robert Barry — 62 Statements. The first one introduces the 61 following: SOMETHING THAT… and then 61 statements that are supposed to define SOMETHING, the essence of which remains irrevocably unknown. Reading this new text by Robert Barry won't change that.
For the presentation of SOMETHING IN A BOX at mfc-michèle didier gallery, the 62 index cards were presented out of their box, forming a wall frieze. This display calls to mind Barry's first studio in New York, which had been previously used by a religious group, that had left behind biblical quotes painted on the wall. Displayed this way, the artist's statements will be illegible. Present, but nonetheless invisible. Something in a box will remain something on the walls... Nothing more nothing less.
12.2 x 10.63 in ( 31,7 x 27 cm )
11.02 x 8.27 in ( 28 x 21,5 x 0,6 cm )
10.63 x 7.09 in ( 27,6 x 18,6 cm )
10.63 x 10.63 in ( 27,6 x 27,6 cm )