William N. Copley CPLY "NOUNS" Exhibition Catalogue Alexandre Tolas NYC 1971

$275.00
This description focuses on the prominent 1971 art book/exhibition catalogue titled "NOUNS" by CPLY (William Nelson Copley).Overview & BackgroundAuthor/Artist: William N. Copley, a celebrated American artist who used the moniker CPLY and acted as a creative bridge between European Surrealism and American Pop Art.Publisher & Date: Published in Milan by Alexandre Jolas in 1971. It was created specifically to accompany CPLY's landmark exhibition of the same name in New York City.Content & Artistic FocusThe book documents a specific era starting in 1970 when Copley took a self-imposed break from painting human figures. Instead, he began isolating everyday items found in old Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogs.The "Nouns": The pages feature graphic, playful paintings of single, ordinary objects like a bicycle, a boxing glove, an umbrella, or a tuba.Visual Style: Each object is given a loose, anthropomorphic personality. They are rendered with his signature bold black outlines and high-contrast, flat colors.The Backgrounds: The objects are placed against vibrant, hypnotic, and geometric background patterns—like striped wallpaper or parquet floors—which served as Copley's witty critique of the Hard-edge and Op-art movements popular at the time.Physical SpecificationsFormat: The book features tight, stiff paper wraps with elegant beveled edges and French folds.Illustrations: It contains 52 pages and includes 20 vibrant, tipped-in color plates showcasing the artwork series.Dimensions: It stands at a compact size of roughly 9 x 7 inches (23x17 cm). 8vo in softcover/wraps. 20 tipped-in color plates. French fold cover in white shows some light soiling. Edges and head and toe of spine are lightly rubbed. Nothing beyond normal shelf wear. Binding is secure. Plates are all present. Includes photocopied article from 1/24/71 New York Times. VG.
This description focuses on the prominent 1971 art book/exhibition catalogue titled "NOUNS" by CPLY (William Nelson Copley).Overview & BackgroundAuthor/Artist: William N. Copley, a celebrated American artist who used the moniker CPLY and acted as a creative bridge between European Surrealism and American Pop Art.Publisher & Date: Published in Milan by Alexandre Jolas in 1971. It was created specifically to accompany CPLY's landmark exhibition of the same name in New York City.Content & Artistic FocusThe book documents a specific era starting in 1970 when Copley took a self-imposed break from painting human figures. Instead, he began isolating everyday items found in old Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogs.The "Nouns": The pages feature graphic, playful paintings of single, ordinary objects like a bicycle, a boxing glove, an umbrella, or a tuba.Visual Style: Each object is given a loose, anthropomorphic personality. They are rendered with his signature bold black outlines and high-contrast, flat colors.The Backgrounds: The objects are placed against vibrant, hypnotic, and geometric background patterns—like striped wallpaper or parquet floors—which served as Copley's witty critique of the Hard-edge and Op-art movements popular at the time.Physical SpecificationsFormat: The book features tight, stiff paper wraps with elegant beveled edges and French folds.Illustrations: It contains 52 pages and includes 20 vibrant, tipped-in color plates showcasing the artwork series.Dimensions: It stands at a compact size of roughly 9 x 7 inches (23x17 cm). 8vo in softcover/wraps. 20 tipped-in color plates. French fold cover in white shows some light soiling. Edges and head and toe of spine are lightly rubbed. Nothing beyond normal shelf wear. Binding is secure. Plates are all present. Includes photocopied article from 1/24/71 New York Times. VG.