Fred Truck, The Biennial Report of the Performance Bank aka Flat Envelope

Des Moines, Iowa, Cookie Press, 1982. Large brown envelope, 26 x 38 cm, containing a variety of materials relating to Performance Bank, a project initiated by Fred Truck in 1980, aimed at creating an international (partly electronic) database for performances. A title sheet explains the Bank's procedure: it accepted proposals for performances (some of which were then realized by Bank personnel) or documentation of performances realized by the originating artist.

The envelope contains an actual old school computer print-out titled ‘Bonds of Performance', as well as a computer-printed catalogue featuring performance proposals and documentation in alphabetical order by artist. Three yellow folders labelled 'Memos', 'Visuals' and 'XL Visuals' with photocopied material are also included. Contributions by Anna Banana, Peter Below, Guy Bleus, Jean Brown, Paulo Bruscky, Ulises Carrion, Cavellini, Robert Filliou, Michael Gibbs, E.F. Higgins III, John Held, Waclaw Ropiecki, Guy Schraenen and many others (full list on request). Noteworthy loose items in the envelope are a tiny flipbook by Opal L Nations and a hilarious colour photo series documenting Michael Gibb’s performance as executed by the staff of Performance Bank. Jean Brown's project involved biographical material about George Maciunas. The envelope has moderate age wear, all inserted items are in fine condition. Scarce. No copy found in trade.