MICHEL MORRIS AND VINCENT TRASOV: SPIELPLATZ
Jun 21–Aug 30, 2019
Exhibition view “Spielplatz”, Photo by Giorgia Palmisano.
Exhibition view “Spielplatz”, Photo by Giorgia Palmisano.

The Archivio Conz is happy to present, on the premises of the Edizioni Conz Raum, “Spielplatz,” an exhibition of works and fetish material by Michael Morris and Vincent Trasov from the collection of Francesco Conz.

In the late 70's Morris and Trasov began a long friendship with the Italian collector, characterized by productive residencies in Asolo and Verona and an important development of ideas, works and collaborations that lasted until Conz's death in 2010.

Today Morris and Trasov are back in Berlin with the Image Bank show at Kunst-Werke, with the Archivio Conz joining forces to show a selection of material that celebrates their history with Conz as well as with the city of Berlin where the two Canadian artists lived for many years.

Founded in 1969 by Michael Morris and Vincent Trasov, Image Bank helped facilitate the exchange of ideas, images, and information between artists through the use of the postal system. Image Bank compiled and printed address and image request lists that were sent to participants through the mail creating an open-ended decentralized method of networking. The possibilities inherent in this kind of activity are limited only by the imagination so it is not hard to draw parallels between the pioneering work of the Image Bank and the later development of e-mail and the internet.

Archivio Conz houses artworks, documents, editions and personal belongings collected and catalyzed by Francesco Conz (Cittadella, 1935–Verona, 2010) over the course of more than 30 years; first assembled in his house in Asolo and later at the ‘Secret Museum’ outside Verona. The Edizioni Conz comprises his unique publishing project, which he started in 1972 producing numerous editions and multiples with the help and assistance of the most refined craftsmen of the Veneto region. More than a collector, he worked closely with artists of the main artistic avant-garde movements of his time: Fluxus, Viennese Actionism, ZAJ, Lettrisme, Concrete Poetry, Visual and Sound Poetry and the Gorgona Group. He left a collection of more than 3000 items by over 150 artists that is now stored in Berlin.

The Edizioni Conz Raum showcases selected works and editions from the Archivio Conz in the city. A series of guided tours and performance projects by artists will activate the presentations throughout the year.