In Numbers: Serial Publications by Artists Since 1955

The ICA will be the first to survey and define a neglected art form that is neither artists’ books nor ephemera, but entirely its own unique object. Radical, unique and highly influential, these serial publications have been produced by artists since the mid fifties. They were representative of a new form of art production – often created in limited numbers and with a small circulation. In this new exhibition, the ICA will explore the development of these works from the rise of the small press in 1960’s, to the DIY zine culture of the 1980’s and finally to the present day.

Although these publications have often been overlooked as a genre, New York based collector Phillip Aarons has spent the last forty years accumulating these rare objects. The works on display are all taken from his collection. He told AnOther, “I began collecting publications about art as soon as I graduated from college where I majored in Art History. That was 40 years ago. I became even more committed to this material when I realized artists used books and magazines as an alternative venue for the presentation of their art and began to collect more seriously when my career allowed me to do so.” Highlights from his collection include: FILE Magazine by art collective General Idea, Gesamalte Werke by Dieter Roth and asianpunkboy by multi-media artist Terence Koh. “The zine asianpunkboy is one of my favourite works,” he told us, “all are hand crafted, highly personal, beautiful objects, filled with the work of the artist and his colleagues and primarily distributed for free to friends.” Aarons was also responsible for commissioning the first works of Terence Koh, outside of publications and websites.

"Radical, unique and highly influential, these serial publications have been produced by artists since the mid fifties. They were representative of a new form of art production – often created in limited numbers and with a small circulation."

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication In Numbers: Serial Publications by Artists since 1955, published by PPE Editions. It documents the history of over sixty publications, has been edited by Philip Aarons and Andrew Roth, and includes essays titled ‘Artists as Magazinists’, interviews and a timeline that is the first to map out the history of these rare works. “I am very proud of the publication because it was a first look at a category of material that has been overlooked until now by museums and collectors” explained Aarons, “These items are an important part of many artists' practice and deserve to be recognized. “

In Numbers: Serial Publications by Artists Since 1955 runs from January 25 – March 25 at ICA, London.

Text by Isabella Burley