Nikolaus Urban, announcements 1970s

Large set of cards and posters announcing performances and exhibitions by the Hungarian artist Nikolaus Urban (b. 1942) who settled in Amsterdam after attending the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht in 1975-76. In the 70s he was known for his radical performances, often endurance pieces or explorations into the concept of violence. One famous work involved teaching a parrot to cite a sentence from the philosophical work of Wittgenstein. In a performance at the Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht in 1976, the blindfolded artist moved around the exhibition space swinging a carving knife, thus chasing away the audience.

Comprises: (1-5) Jan van Eyck Academy Maastricht: two large cards 'Sweet Window' and 'Milk Event' 1975, plus three artists' postcards 1977. (6-8) Ecart Geneva, 2 artists' postcards and one exhibition card 'Glass Party event', all 1976. (9-12) De Appel Amsterdam, two flyers plus card for the performance 'Parrot Training' 1976, and 'Plagium, Floor Work, Target Action' 1978. (13-14) Galerie A Amsterdam, card and poster 'Sweets' 1976. Poster 62 x 45 cm, machine-folded twice. (15) Joseph Beuys/Free International University, card featuring the script for Urban's 'Rope Performance' issued at a FIU presentation in Kassel during Documenta 6, 1977. (16-17) Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, flyer and invitation card 'My House is Your House', 1979. (18) Art Academy Enschede, card 'Flower Walk', 1979. Most items in very good condition. (total 18)