Patent Merde
Aktionism: Various Artists (brus, Muehl, Wiener et al.). Brus, Günter. (Ed.)
Vienna. (Published by the artist). 1969
Sold
The very scarce Aktionist document - each copy unique - concerning the notorious 'Kunst und Revolution' action of June 7th, 1968.
From the edition limited to 70 copies, this copy signed by Brus on the mimeograph title.
In addition this copy features three original monochrome Aktionist photographs, each mounted to a leaf of thick grey paper, the first is inscribed and signed in blue ink by Otto Muehl.
'Patent Merde' consists of documents relating to the scandal surrounding ‘Kunst und Revolution’, and features extensive documentary mimeograph texts by Günter Brus, Otto Muehl, Franz Kaltenback, Hermann Schürrer, Gerhard Rühm and Oswald Weiner. The texts are supplemented by mimeograph drawings by Brus as well as inserted leaves from glossy magazines, or leaves of thick white or colour paper, each with silkscreen slogan by Wiener or Brus. The slogans include Oswald Wiener’s ’Nieder mid dem Arbeitslager staat!’ (Down with the labour camp state!) and ‘Weg mid dem Waksinn des Alltags’ (Away with the madness of life), Brus’ ‘Befreit such von der Genitalpanik!’ (Rid yourself of genital panic!) and ‘Der Staat grift each deinen Glied!’ (The state is after your member!). Every copy of ‘Patent Merde’ also included a number of original Aktionist photographs (as per the three in the present copy), which together with the differing leaves with silkscreen slogans, ensure that each copy is unique.
On 7 June 1968 Günther Brus, together with Otto Muehl, Peter Weibel and Oswald Wiener, staged the action ‘Kunst und Revolution’ (Art and Revolution) before an audience of some 300 at the University of Vienna. The action, which involved nudity, defecation, vomit, masturbation, flagellation, self-mutilation and the further provocation of the naked protagonists smearing themselves with excrement while singing the Austrian national anthem and standing on the national flag caused outrage and a major scandal. The popular press, incensed by the event, labelled it ‘Uni-Ferkelei’ (filth at the university).
Also included, loosely inserted, is additional related ephemera:
- Otto Muehl / Hermann Nitsch - the mimeograph program for 'Fest des psychophysischen Naturalismus (June 1963) - see variant print in ‘Vienna Actionism. Art and Upheaval in 1960s' Vienna, MUMOK, pg. 77.
- Otto Muehl -the mimeograph announcement for ‘Turnstunde in Lebensmitteln’ (June 1965) - see MUMOK pg. 298, no. 598.
- Otto Muehl - mimeograph text sheet for ‘Materialaktion’.
'Patent Merde' is notorious both in terms of its focus and its legendary scarcity; we can locate no institutional copies worldwide. The fragile binding is in good condition with only some wear around the paper fasteners and a small split to the spine; the contents remain in excellent condition.
[see Kellein - Frohliche Wissenschaft. Das Archiv Sohm, pg. 135; Vienna Actionism. Art and Upheaval in 1960s Vienna, MUMOK - pp. 237 - 239].
From the edition limited to 70 copies, this copy signed by Brus on the mimeograph title.
In addition this copy features three original monochrome Aktionist photographs, each mounted to a leaf of thick grey paper, the first is inscribed and signed in blue ink by Otto Muehl.
'Patent Merde' consists of documents relating to the scandal surrounding ‘Kunst und Revolution’, and features extensive documentary mimeograph texts by Günter Brus, Otto Muehl, Franz Kaltenback, Hermann Schürrer, Gerhard Rühm and Oswald Weiner. The texts are supplemented by mimeograph drawings by Brus as well as inserted leaves from glossy magazines, or leaves of thick white or colour paper, each with silkscreen slogan by Wiener or Brus. The slogans include Oswald Wiener’s ’Nieder mid dem Arbeitslager staat!’ (Down with the labour camp state!) and ‘Weg mid dem Waksinn des Alltags’ (Away with the madness of life), Brus’ ‘Befreit such von der Genitalpanik!’ (Rid yourself of genital panic!) and ‘Der Staat grift each deinen Glied!’ (The state is after your member!). Every copy of ‘Patent Merde’ also included a number of original Aktionist photographs (as per the three in the present copy), which together with the differing leaves with silkscreen slogans, ensure that each copy is unique.
On 7 June 1968 Günther Brus, together with Otto Muehl, Peter Weibel and Oswald Wiener, staged the action ‘Kunst und Revolution’ (Art and Revolution) before an audience of some 300 at the University of Vienna. The action, which involved nudity, defecation, vomit, masturbation, flagellation, self-mutilation and the further provocation of the naked protagonists smearing themselves with excrement while singing the Austrian national anthem and standing on the national flag caused outrage and a major scandal. The popular press, incensed by the event, labelled it ‘Uni-Ferkelei’ (filth at the university).
Also included, loosely inserted, is additional related ephemera:
- Otto Muehl / Hermann Nitsch - the mimeograph program for 'Fest des psychophysischen Naturalismus (June 1963) - see variant print in ‘Vienna Actionism. Art and Upheaval in 1960s' Vienna, MUMOK, pg. 77.
- Otto Muehl -the mimeograph announcement for ‘Turnstunde in Lebensmitteln’ (June 1965) - see MUMOK pg. 298, no. 598.
- Otto Muehl - mimeograph text sheet for ‘Materialaktion’.
'Patent Merde' is notorious both in terms of its focus and its legendary scarcity; we can locate no institutional copies worldwide. The fragile binding is in good condition with only some wear around the paper fasteners and a small split to the spine; the contents remain in excellent condition.
[see Kellein - Frohliche Wissenschaft. Das Archiv Sohm, pg. 135; Vienna Actionism. Art and Upheaval in 1960s Vienna, MUMOK - pp. 237 - 239].
[64 unnumbered leaves] 4to. (299 x 213 mm). Mimeograph pictorial title, illustration and printed text in purple, green and pink recto only throughout, three inserted leaves of thick grey card each with mounted monochrome photograph (each c.170 x 130 mm) and 9 inserted leaves (one doubled) with silkscreen slogans, 2 printed recto and verso. Original publisher's brown card wrappers with paper fastener binding, front cover with pictorial silkscreen title, rear cover and wrapper interior with additional silkscreen slogans.
#43364
