James Lee Byars, 5 Continent Documenta 7

Groningen, Corps de Garde, 1979. Multiple, 13.5 x 20 cm, consisting of a thin black paper sheet folded into an envelope. The front is post stamped and addressed in gilt handwriting to Judith Cahen and Wim Crouwel. Recto features the sender 'James Lee Byars, Corps de Garde Groningen' also in gilt lettering. The envelope houses a large folded sheet of the same black paper, which unfolds to 216 x 124 cm, into the shape of a '7'. The multiple was meant as a protest against Documenta 7's Western-centric perspective and was mailed to a selective group of international art-world insiders.

This copy is accompanied by a telegram dated March 17 1979 sent by the artist and Corps de Garde to Cahen and Crouwel, inviting them to the announcement of the 5 continent documenta 7 at the Groninger Museum on March 19. At this event the artist, dressed in his signature golden suit and hat, pasted the '7' onto a wall. Super scarce item rarely seen with the telegram. The gilt text has faded but is still legible, else a very good copy. (total 2)