2008/2024
Each portfolio:
32,5×43 cm
12.8×17 in.
32,5×43 cm
12.8×17 in.
Four-volume set
Portfolios containing works by Maurizio Cattelan, featuring printed reproductions of hand-painted and hand-calligraphed text. The four portfolios, published by Three Star Books between 2008 and 2024, are presented as a set.
Die/ Die more/ Die Better/ Die Again
2008
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 43 sheets
Printed recto only
6 color offset
Maurizio Cattelan presents a unique publication that blurs the boundaries between a book and an artwork, reminiscent of Duchamp's "Boîte-en-valise." Serving as a comprehensive survey of Cattelan's work, this publication is meticulously crafted to fit within a cardboard box. The pages, adorned with hand-illustrated text and images, evoke the essence of an artist's book, capturing the artistic spirit in every detail. Adding to its depth, Bice Curiger, esteemed chief editor of Parkett and curator at Kunsthaus Zurich, provides an insightful essay that enriches the reader's understanding of Cattelan's artistry.
2008
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 43 sheets
Printed recto only
6 color offset
Maurizio Cattelan presents a unique publication that blurs the boundaries between a book and an artwork, reminiscent of Duchamp's "Boîte-en-valise." Serving as a comprehensive survey of Cattelan's work, this publication is meticulously crafted to fit within a cardboard box. The pages, adorned with hand-illustrated text and images, evoke the essence of an artist's book, capturing the artistic spirit in every detail. Adding to its depth, Bice Curiger, esteemed chief editor of Parkett and curator at Kunsthaus Zurich, provides an insightful essay that enriches the reader's understanding of Cattelan's artistry.
The Three Qattelan
2010
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 49 sheets
Printed recto only
5 color offset
Maurizio Cattelan unveils the eagerly anticipated sequel to his debut publication with Three Star Books. Titled "Three Qattelan," this book continues the narrative of his ongoing autobiographic series, following the path set by "Die / Die more / Die better / Die again" (2007). Demonstrating his creative mastery, Cattelan assumes complete responsibility for the editing and design of the volume, handpicking his longtime collaborator, Francesco Bonami, to serve as the interpretant for this remarkable endeavor.
Comprising forty-nine pages of handwritten text and captivating illustrations, the manuscript is meticulously printed using offset techniques on the finest Swedish papers. Its essence resides in the exploration of transforming books into genuine artworks. By incorporating illustrations and removing calligraphy, Cattelan deliberately distances himself from the realm of objective documentary photography and its assertions of truth. Instead, the book presents forty-nine plates meticulously painted by a talented Chinese illustrator, offering authentic visual representations rather than mere reproductions.
The printing process of this book adheres to superior standards established by Fälth & Hässler, renowned Swedish printers located in the region associated with the esteemed Munken paper. Notably, each plate has been printed on one side only, meticulously realizing the artist's original design. Cattelan's autobiography transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling, showcasing his extraordinary ability to wield influence over economic, critical, and public media attention on a grand scale. From commanding the attention of multitudes to meticulously orchestrating the precise placement of pictures and punctuation on the printed page, Cattelan's masterful control is evident throughout this captivating work.
2010
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 49 sheets
Printed recto only
5 color offset
Maurizio Cattelan unveils the eagerly anticipated sequel to his debut publication with Three Star Books. Titled "Three Qattelan," this book continues the narrative of his ongoing autobiographic series, following the path set by "Die / Die more / Die better / Die again" (2007). Demonstrating his creative mastery, Cattelan assumes complete responsibility for the editing and design of the volume, handpicking his longtime collaborator, Francesco Bonami, to serve as the interpretant for this remarkable endeavor.
Comprising forty-nine pages of handwritten text and captivating illustrations, the manuscript is meticulously printed using offset techniques on the finest Swedish papers. Its essence resides in the exploration of transforming books into genuine artworks. By incorporating illustrations and removing calligraphy, Cattelan deliberately distances himself from the realm of objective documentary photography and its assertions of truth. Instead, the book presents forty-nine plates meticulously painted by a talented Chinese illustrator, offering authentic visual representations rather than mere reproductions.
The printing process of this book adheres to superior standards established by Fälth & Hässler, renowned Swedish printers located in the region associated with the esteemed Munken paper. Notably, each plate has been printed on one side only, meticulously realizing the artist's original design. Cattelan's autobiography transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling, showcasing his extraordinary ability to wield influence over economic, critical, and public media attention on a grand scale. From commanding the attention of multitudes to meticulously orchestrating the precise placement of pictures and punctuation on the printed page, Cattelan's masterful control is evident throughout this captivating work.
The Taste of Others
2011
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 56 sheets
Printed recto only
5 color offset
Presented in a captivating manner by Massimiliano Gioni, a longstanding collaborator of Maurizio Cattelan and curator at the New Museum, this volume chronicles the diverse editions and ephemeral projects born from the creative genius of the Italian artist based in New York. Gioni's text transcends the mere compilation of works in a catalogue raisonné format. With a clever blend of humor and authority, often adopting a third-person perspective, Gioni explores the intricate intersections between friendship and work, recognizing them as indispensable elements in the creation of an artist's magnum opus. Although the text, beautifully rendered in hand-painted calligraphy subsequently typeset, and the miniature painted images exude an authoritative tone, the knowledge that Cattelan has been the driving force behind this volume, both in its form and content, reveals his seamless foray into editorial, publishing, and other realms often deemed separate from the realm of artistry.
The watercolor illustrations, masterfully provided by Chinese painter Fu Site, enrich the visual experience of the book. Titled "The Taste of Others," this publication brings to a close an ambitious series initiated by Three Star Books in 2007. However, the artistic community eagerly anticipates whether Cattelan will continue to publish following his impending retirement, adding an air of curiosity and intrigue to his future endeavors.
The 11th Commandment
2024
500 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 33 sheets
Printed on the recto only
Portfolio containing 25 works by Maurizio Cattelan, featuring printed reproductions of hand-painted and hand-calligraphed text. “The 11th Commandment” is distinguished by an in-depth interview with Maurizio Cattelan conducted by Nancy Spector, a rare occurrence as the artist seldom speaks publicly, adding significant value to this edition.
In line with the previous volumes, all images in this book are rendered in a watercolor style and presented as facsimiles on one side of the page only. This unique format transforms the book into a collectible art object, with each page ready to be framed and displayed. Cattelan’s approach reflects a deep understanding of the value and limitations of printed media. By transforming photographs of his works into watercolor interpretations, he creates a new artistic expression while maintaining the integrity and power of the original artworks.
This method echoes the philosophy of The Studio Magazine, a publication from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that was conscious of the nuances involved in reproducing art. They consistently clarified that images within were photographic reproductions of artworks, maintaining a necessary distance for proper appreciation. Similarly, Cattelan’s use of watercolor interpretations serves to protect his works from misinterpretation, ensuring a clear distinction between the original pieces and their reproduced forms.
The final question of the interview, which showcases the essence of the interview between Spector and Cattelan, is as follows:
Nancy Spector: “If you could somehow peer back in time, what advice would you give your 25-year-old self? And what advice would you give a young artist starting out today?”
Maurizio Cattelan: “There is no useful advice simply because there’s no one that would listen to it. Life is a constellation of mistakes that you have to make on your own. But if you were to force me to answer, I would say ‘believe in what you're doing.’ Be yourself, and never be afraid of being different. And, don’t try to please your audience: halfway solutions are the wrong way.”
This fourth volume of Maurizio Cattelan’s book series, initially launched in 2008 alongside exhibitions at Kunsthaus Bregenz in 2008, Palazzo Reale in Milan in 2010, and the Guggenheim retrospective in New York in 2011, is set to debut in conjunction with “The Third Hand” exhibition at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, 2024.
2011
1000 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 56 sheets
Printed recto only
5 color offset
Presented in a captivating manner by Massimiliano Gioni, a longstanding collaborator of Maurizio Cattelan and curator at the New Museum, this volume chronicles the diverse editions and ephemeral projects born from the creative genius of the Italian artist based in New York. Gioni's text transcends the mere compilation of works in a catalogue raisonné format. With a clever blend of humor and authority, often adopting a third-person perspective, Gioni explores the intricate intersections between friendship and work, recognizing them as indispensable elements in the creation of an artist's magnum opus. Although the text, beautifully rendered in hand-painted calligraphy subsequently typeset, and the miniature painted images exude an authoritative tone, the knowledge that Cattelan has been the driving force behind this volume, both in its form and content, reveals his seamless foray into editorial, publishing, and other realms often deemed separate from the realm of artistry.
The watercolor illustrations, masterfully provided by Chinese painter Fu Site, enrich the visual experience of the book. Titled "The Taste of Others," this publication brings to a close an ambitious series initiated by Three Star Books in 2007. However, the artistic community eagerly anticipates whether Cattelan will continue to publish following his impending retirement, adding an air of curiosity and intrigue to his future endeavors.
The 11th Commandment
2024
500 copies
32,5×43 cm - 12.8×17 in.
Portfolio of 33 sheets
Printed on the recto only
Portfolio containing 25 works by Maurizio Cattelan, featuring printed reproductions of hand-painted and hand-calligraphed text. “The 11th Commandment” is distinguished by an in-depth interview with Maurizio Cattelan conducted by Nancy Spector, a rare occurrence as the artist seldom speaks publicly, adding significant value to this edition.
In line with the previous volumes, all images in this book are rendered in a watercolor style and presented as facsimiles on one side of the page only. This unique format transforms the book into a collectible art object, with each page ready to be framed and displayed. Cattelan’s approach reflects a deep understanding of the value and limitations of printed media. By transforming photographs of his works into watercolor interpretations, he creates a new artistic expression while maintaining the integrity and power of the original artworks.
This method echoes the philosophy of The Studio Magazine, a publication from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that was conscious of the nuances involved in reproducing art. They consistently clarified that images within were photographic reproductions of artworks, maintaining a necessary distance for proper appreciation. Similarly, Cattelan’s use of watercolor interpretations serves to protect his works from misinterpretation, ensuring a clear distinction between the original pieces and their reproduced forms.
The final question of the interview, which showcases the essence of the interview between Spector and Cattelan, is as follows:
Nancy Spector: “If you could somehow peer back in time, what advice would you give your 25-year-old self? And what advice would you give a young artist starting out today?”
Maurizio Cattelan: “There is no useful advice simply because there’s no one that would listen to it. Life is a constellation of mistakes that you have to make on your own. But if you were to force me to answer, I would say ‘believe in what you're doing.’ Be yourself, and never be afraid of being different. And, don’t try to please your audience: halfway solutions are the wrong way.”
This fourth volume of Maurizio Cattelan’s book series, initially launched in 2008 alongside exhibitions at Kunsthaus Bregenz in 2008, Palazzo Reale in Milan in 2010, and the Guggenheim retrospective in New York in 2011, is set to debut in conjunction with “The Third Hand” exhibition at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, 2024.
© 2024 Three Star Books, All Rights Reserved