Matthew Bakkom
Book Lecture: The New York City Museum of Complaint
Tuesday, February 8
11:30 AM
Fordham University Visual Arts Department
Lincoln Center Campus
113 West 60th Street at Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023
Room SL24H

Join artist and producer Matthew Bakkom for a discussion of the project The New York City Museum of Complaint. Initially presented as publicly distributed newsprint edition in 2006, this collection of letters sent to the mayor of the city of New York (between 1751 and 1972) has subsequently been manifest as a fine art publication, designed by Peter Miles and released by Steidl-Miles in 2009.

Selected from the municipal archives and presented chronologically, the letters address a range of issues from dead animals in the street to swindles, capitalism, and corruption. From civil rights, adventuresses, bad luck, and broken hearts to noise and other people. These are the communiqués of dissatisfaction over the course of a city’s evolution.

The strength of this collection lies in its striking ability to capture the spirit of the city as defined by its critics and crusaders. New York City has long been perceived as a place where personal expression flourishes. These civic documents are historical embodiments of the language, wit and energy that helped forge the City’s reputation. From the passionate defense of street musicians to dedicated battles with drycleaners, police officers, pushcart peddlers and hooligans, a chorus emerges that articulates the challenges and inherent absurdity of metropolitan life.

Links:
Steidl Edition
City Room Guest Blogger compendium
Newsprint Edition

Matthew Bakkom was born in 1968. Starting in the early 1990’s, working as a visual artist in North America and Europe, he has created projects and participated in exhibitions cities such as New York, Paris, Dublin, Philadelphia, Eindhoven and Minneapolis. The creative investigation of collections and archives often serves as the basis for his work.

Image:
Cover image from The New York City Museum of Complaint
Curated by Matthew Bakkom
Book design by Peter Miles Studio
304 pages, 217 colour plates
24.5 cm x 32 cm
Hardcover
Steidl Miles
ISBN: 978-3-86521-745-5
Publication date: August 2009

For further information please contact:
Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock apicellahit@fordham.edu