GORDON MATTA-CLARK: NYC GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73

Gordon Matta-Clark (1943-1978) was an important American architect and conceptual artist who was specialized in intervention and deconstruction. As New York originated observer of his home town he began to take photos of the upcoming namewriting phenomenon in the summer of 1972. Although documenting the movement in more than 2000 photos until autumn of 1973 only a small percentage was exhibited as part of his Photoglyph collage works in the 70s.

Now for the first time ever photographs of the Gordon Matta-Clark estate are presented to a broader audience. NYC GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/32 is a 408-paged high quality hardcover tome including highlights from the artist’s collection. The book includes more than 425 colour and black and white photos and collages. He captured graffiti on subways as well as in the streets in one of the most important eras ever: when the outlined piece developed from the tag or hit.

Carlo McCormick, Caleb Neelon and Chris FREEDOM Pape added introducing texts to the content but you will also find interviews with important writers like JOE182, STAY HIGH149, COMET, RIFF170, STAFF161, and JESTER which give insight into the early years of writing. A closing essay by Chris Pape frames the shown works into the upcoming gallery scene accompanied with newspaper clippings, sketches and photographs from Michael Lawrence and Herbert Migdoll. This book is one of the biggest collections of New York graffiti from this epoch and is limited to 1000 copies only!

Featuring: JEE126, STITCH1,SNAKE131, FUTURA2000, HONDO, SNAKE1, PYTHON120, COOL CLIFF120, BABY FACE86, CAY161, JUNIOR161, AKE1, PEP1, LEE163D, PIPER1, SUPER KOOL223, PAIN1, CHARMIN65, SUPERFLY, BEAR163, PISTOL, SAVAGE, CLUTCH2, SPIN, SJK171, MICO, ‘A’TRAIN, SUPER STRUT, CRACHEE, VAMM, FDT56, DEATH, TABU1, STAR3, WORM, DR.SEX1, CONDOR, FRESCO1, PRIEST, FLINT707, SCORPIO161, RICAN120, KILLER1, PHASE2, LA-ZAR, EL MARKO171, TRACY168, POLLO136, CLIFF159, BUTCH167, ALL JIVE161, T-REX131, TOPCAT126, SILVER TIPS, MOSES147, and many others.

Update: The first edition is sold out. We will try to get copies of the 2nd edition which hopefully comes out by the end of this year. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first one for news on stock updates.

408 pages, 26,1 x 31 cm, gilded edges, hardcover
Edited by Roger Gastman
Written by Carlo McCormick, Caleb Neelon & Chris FREEDOM Pape
Language: English
Release date: February 2024
Publisher: BEYOND THE STREETS