“The significant event in terms of the history of artists’ publications was Siegelaub’s Douglas Huebler exhibition in November 1968. There, for the first time, the exhibition appeared principally as a catalogue. The nature of Huebler’s work was such that it functioned equally well on the paper or on the wall, so viewing (or owning) the ‘original’ work, became, in effect, beside the point.” (Phillpot - Lauf) “The first in a series of Siegelaub’s «catalogues-as-exhibitions», this projects marked an important step in Huebler’s sculptural practice. The publication includes statements by the artist; a checklist of fifteen works; and selected images of Huebler’s «Site Sculptures Projects, Duration Pieces, and Variable Pieces», as well as some of his drawings. Legend has it that several people went to Siegelaub’s apartment showroom at 1100 Madison Avenue, hoping to see an exhibition that has no physical existence apart from the catalogue. Even so interested buyers were offered various artistic documents» that Siegelaub kept in the apartment. The collector Alan Power paid the stately sum of ¥ 2,000 for three of the works listed in the catalogue - Siegelaub’s first big sale; and Raymond Dirks, a stockbroker and patron of arts, had financed the catalogue in Exchange for several artworks (including one listed in the catalogue).” (Siegelaub 2016)

Reference note:
HUEBLER Douglas (Ann Arbor, Michigan 1924 - Truro, Massacchusetts 1997)

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