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Once upon a time, long, long ago (well let's say the 1930s) an artist named Marcel Duchamp outlined the three ways in which an artist could produce work. The first was to take the task at hand and make the work oneself. The second was to employ a person or persons to make the art for you. The third way in which an artist could create art was to write the instructions on how it is made, absolving the artist from ever having to break a sweat. This last method of art-making was coined instructional art, and for that, (well yes he did paint a moustache on the Mona Lisa and attach a bicycle wheel to a stool, oh and paint Nude Descending a Staircase, and of course introduce his readymades) Marcel Duchamp became one of the most treasured and avant-guard artists of the twentieth century.
Not so long ago (2005), Greg Lundgren found himself without a gallery or the opportunity to curate formal exhibitions. Looking through a very thick stack of ideas, proposals and experiments he had yet to create or produce, he thought of Mr. Duchamp and pondered his options. Alas, it was decided to write a cookbook of instructional art, and employ his good friend, and brilliant illustrator Jed Dunkerley, to animate the 75 recipes for performance, installation, writing and group exhibition. With an introduction by Emily Hall and book designing skills of Deborah Ro, what emerged was a wonderful narrative on contemporary art. Individually the recipes outline and explore refreshing approaches to exhibition and self-expression. Collectively, The Vital 5 Cookbook stands as a manifesto, breaking down doors and knocking down tables in an attempt to free art from the confines of the gallery and the exclusivity so common to the artistic experience. The Vital 5 Cookbook incites a revolution, reminding its readers that opportunity is abound and the many faces of self-expression can save the world from tyranny and boredom. All you have to do is jump.
With titles like Theatre Hitchhiking, The Cardboard Disco Party, Smell My Finger and The Phone Booth Confessional, The Vital 5 Cookbook offers a vast selection of projects for the experienced to the amatuer. The Vital 5 Cookbook is available in our online shop and through the below fine book sellers:
Andaluz
4908 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
206-760-1900
Bluebottle Art Gallery + Store
415 E. Pike
Seattle, WA 98122
206-325-1592
OK OK Gallery
5107 Ballard Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-789-6242
Roq La Rue
2316 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
206-374-8977
Peter Miller at The Henry
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
The Vital 5 Cookbook
Hardbound, 152 pages
Edition of 1000
Printed in Hong Kong
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