Art Aktuell. Confidential Information about the International Art Scene

Curious newsletter series self-published and edited by Willi Bongard in Cologne from 1970-1985, providing critical commentary on international contemporary art trends and the art market. Includes 4 issues, each 4 pp. A4 with typewritten text in German, signed and hand numbered at the last page. Included are: (1) Year 4 No. 16, 31 August 1974, numbered 26/500. (2) Year 4 No. 17, 15 September 1974, numbered 297/500. (3) Year 4 No. 19, 15 October 1974, numbered 37/500. (4) Year 4 No. 22, 30 November 1974. All sheets folded for mailing, with moderate creasing.

The German economist and art journalist Bongard (1931-1985) started out in 1969 publishing a list of '100 greatest living artists', based on his self-devised point system. Numerical value was assigned to the artist's participation in a one-man show, group show, a notice in a periodical or television etc. (300 points would be given for each work the artist showed in a major museum, for example). In 1976 Rauschenberg topped the list by earning 20.490 points. At the time, an average Rauschenberg work was selling at U S$6.000, meaning he would be 'worth' about 29 dollar cents per point in Willi Bongard's orbit.