Sophie Calle’s ADDRESS BOOK is finally available in English
192 Books
192 Tenth Ave. at 21st St.
Wednesday, November 7, free with RSVP, 7:00
212-255-4022
www.192books.com
www.sigliopress.com
Nearly thirty years ago, French conceptual multimedia artist Sophie Calle found an address book in the street and decided to create a portrait of the owner (as well as herself) by contacting all of the people listed inside. “I will get to know this man through his friends and acquaintances. I will try to discover who he is without ever meeting him,” Calle wrote at the time. She documented the results, an investigation into truth, honesty, fiction, character, and the search for information itself, in a series of columns for the daily paper Libération that enraged the owner of the address book, Pierre D., who demanded she never show the work again during his lifetime. Alas, he is no longer with us, so now we have the first-ever English-language publication of The Address Book (Siglio, September 2012, $29.95), designed as an actual lightweight address book, complete with Calle’s notes and photographs. Calle will be at 192 Books in Chelsea on November 7 at 7:00, signing copies of the new book. Space is limited, so advance reservations are required by calling 212-255-4022.