Hard to Read

Love A Loves Me!

November 4, 2018 - January 6, 2019

'Backstory: He told me that when he lived in Queens in the 1970s the streets were covered the word “BOOK.” It took awhile of wondering before he asked someone and learned that this was how the city dealt with all the “FUCK” graffiti.'

For her first show as Hard to Read, organizing artist Fiona Alison Duncan asked 14 notable readers in her life to read favorite passages from favorite books before her camera. She filmed these readers—individuals she’s exchanged or discussed books with, including herself—in their homes, studios, or a public setting of their choosing. These readings will screen in the gallery, where Duncan will play shopkeep for five weeks. All of the books read from will be available for sale; and inscribed upon purchase with a message from their reader. Printed matter containing writing and art by the readers will also be for sale. A series of “Writing on the Wall—” authored by F.A. Duncan, the poet; Fiona Alison Duncan, the mainstay; and Fifi, the fun one—explores language as a tool for domination, seduction, liberation, grace, and what else. “The Big Book (Gestures of Cumfort)” is a book as resting place, provided by reader and artist Matthew Hilvers. Duncan invites you to come through to read, talk, and watch while she’s attending (events may happen).

Featuring readings by Alicia Novella Vasquez, Amalia Ulman, Ana Cecilia Alvarez, Chris Kraus, Fabiola Ching, Fanny Howe, Fiona Alison Duncan, Gary Indiana, Hedi El Kholti, Ian Duncan, John Edmonds, Margaret Haines, Matthew Hilvers, Sarah Nicole Prickett, and Stefan Schwartzman.

With books and writing by Alexandre Bisson, Amalia Ulman, Chris Kraus, David Abram, Essex Hemphill (ed.), Fanny Howe, Fiona Alison Duncan, Gary Indiana, Guillaume Dustan, Hedi El Kholti, Herman Melville, Iceberg Slim, Ingo Niermann (ed), Jenny Diski, John Edmonds, Laurie Weeks, Margaret Haines, Matthew Hilvers, Robert Ulanowicz, Samuel Delany, Sarah Nicole Prickett, Stéphane Mallarmé, and William Gaddis.

Books-in-print provided in partnership with McNally Jackson.

'Love a smooth paved road,
        a hungover coffee,
        a consuming novel,
            a lilac in fall…'

press release

close

Past
Contact

Jeffrey Stark

88 East Broadway
Space B11
New York, NY 10002

Leave this field empty if you're human: