The first survey on the obscure and fascinating phenomenon of record labels founded and run by visual artists, this book reflects on the way these extra-artistic activities contribute to redefining the role of the contemporary artist as a catalyst of intellectual energies and producer of cultural processes at large. Moreover, it tries to understand if and how these activities challenged the art world’s static and modern perception of art and art works.

Featuring 25 labels from Europe, the US and Mexico, from 1980 through 2015, this exhibition catalog celebrates the contemporary artist as multifaceted producer of collaborative projects. Cultural historian and artist Francesco Spampinato reflects on how the showcased labels have redefined the role of contemporary artists as a creative and cultural catalysts, touching upon their position in a wider tradition of independent music, art rock and artists’ mock enterprises; their performative features; their collective and participative nature; and the DIY ethos embodied in the production of records and ephemera. Featuring ephemera, original artworks, records, video stills, and rare archival treasures, including Andy Warhol’s Earhole Productions and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Tartown Record Co.

Designed by Arthur Roeloffzen

Published by Onomatopee, 2015

Softcover, 160 pages, full color, 4.5 × 6.25 inches

ISBN: 978-94-91677-36-6