ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE FOR A FAMOUS MULTIPLE W/ INSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

THE ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE FOR A FAMOUS MULTIPLE WITH INSTRUCTION DRAWINGS, MACQUETTE AND CORRESPONDENCE AND SEVERAL UNIQUE WORKS Aubertin, Bernard and Henri Chopin FEU TRIOMPHANT. UNIQUE WORK WITH PROTOTYPE, MAQUETTE, CORRESPONDENCE AND PLANS AS WELL AS UNIQUE CONCRETE POEMS AND OTHER MATERIAL (ALL ORIGINAL). 1967 32 x 32 x 5cm, two-part red cloth covered cardboard box with printed label content of the original prototype for Chopin/Aubertin's well known fire sculpture multiple (in metal and wood) along with ALL of the various correspondence between the two artists which includes the original sketches and plans for the design, two copies of the book (one deluxe) which came with the multiple with sketches and handwritten additions and the original maquette (paste-up) for the book and an original concrete poem hand written by Chopin and an original typescript concrete poem signed and denoted as the original by Chopin and a signed and dedicated poster from Aubertin. The entire work was given by the artists (and dedicated several times on various aspects of the contents) to a Madame Petithory of Paris. Not only is the work an unique version of the sculpture (which was designed to hold lit matches in various configurations then spun to create a dynamic fire sculpture) but also an important archive of the way the work developed and the intended eventual work - with the plans included being effectively instruction drawings (from Aubertin) for the eventual manufacturer and publisher (Chopin). An exact description of the contents are as follows: 1. 30cm appox dia. stainless steel disk on wooden and metal pivoted base - the disk has holes to allow the insertion of matches - up to 160 can be arranged in 5 concentric circles. On the bottom of the wooden base is written in Aubertin's handwriting: "Le disque de feu tournant a ete cree le 6-8-1967". The wooden base also has two mirror hooks to allow it to be secured permanently to a base or a wall. This is the original prototype of the work as created by Chopin to Aubertin's instructions. 2. A document - 27 x 21cm, 4pp - "6 textes" - a manifesto of sorts written and published by Aubertin in 1962. Signed and titled in pencil by the artist on page three - with the additional note: "(la conventure est epuisse)". The document has been included by the artist in the archive because it forms the basis of his methodology and practice. 3. Nine pages of handwritten and hand typed correspondence between Aubertin and Chopin - including two separate pages of drawings by Aubertin of plans for the machine / sculpture and discussions as to whether the putative machine could be mechanised. The original instructions for use of the machine are also included with Chopin's hand corrections and the detail for one of the plan drawings is very extensive with measurements for the work alongside the sketches. Paper sizes and formats vary and the graphic for "Le Disque de Feu" (the working title for the piece until publication) is a detailed and attractive small drawing with sizes and plan/elevation. The final letter from Chopin suggests that the prototype was made on 28.10.67 in a sole example (a short signed statement on the back of a letter). 4. An original 27.5 x 21.5cm typewriter poem "Poeme Pour Begue' - signed in pencil and denoted "original" and "aout 66" by Chopin. The poem is reproduced on page 6 of the booklet that accompanied the multiple under a different name "Le sourd-muet". 5. Two copies of the booklet/artist's book that was issued with the multiple - uniformly 20 x 20cm, containing 6 offset lithographic prints (all concrete works) in red on cream plus covers - one on Japon marked "Tire a part 67" / "graphismes 1965/66" and signed in pencil on the cover by Chopin who has also dedicated it "Pour Petithory" top right. Another copy is notated as "M.A." on the cover and signed by Chopin and Aubertin in pencil. Inside this copy is a lengthy dedication from Chopin in ink on the inside front cover to Petithory. And on the back cover there is a full page original drawing in red ink (15 x 14cm approx) by Aubertin showing the sculpture in full operation with flames coming out from the centre along with a dedication in pencil that is dated and signed along with the artist's fingerprints pressed onto the page in blue ink. This copy of the book has a 1pp 17 x 17.5cm insert missing from the first example which is entitled "Instructions pour le bon fonctionnement du discue de feu tournant" by Aubertin. 6. The original Maquette for the artist's book complete with pasted in original typewriter poems (in letterpress) by Chopin and hand drawn graphics throughout with notes in blue ink in margins and titles. Chopin has used paper from other publications for the base medium (card) for the maquette and on the verso of each folio are other concrete works by Chopin. The whole is signed and annotated by Chopin on the inside front cover over two pages. 7. An original 65 x 25cm, handwritten (in black ink on cream paper) concrete poem dedicated to and about Madame Petithory from Chopin - which is noted specifically as to accompany the original "le disque feu" by Aubertin and Chopin and is signed and dated 21.10.67. Rolled and stored in the box as originally intended by Chopin. 8. A duotone exhibition poster for Aubertin with a reproduced painting of the "disque feu" in action and gallery details (Gallerie Thelen, 1967) signed, dated and dedicated to madame Petithory by Aubertin in ink. Again rolled and stored in the box as originally intended by Aubertin. The image on the poster was also used elsewhere on a single issue of Chopin's OU magazine. All in all a significant work with much documentation - several instruction drawings and other hand additions and several unique works by both artists. An astonishing gift from the two collaborators to a close friend. All items are in fine estate - eventually ONLY 22 examples of the Fire Sculpture were made and this is the deluxe prototype with much supporting material. A museum quality work and very, very desirable.