. . .
. . .
by Wayne Homren, 10 Nov 1994
Here's another mini-diary on the opening of an exhibit of J.S.G. Boggs art at the University of Pittsburgh last night (Thursday, November 9, 1994).
The exhibit focused on his monoprints. These are works produced using a computer, a scanner, and a color laser copier. The effect is of a collage of bits and pieces of paper money, chopped and stretched and laid out in various patterns. Each is unique, hence the term "monoprint". Designs that don't meet his standards are thrown away. The others are given names, usually based on what he thinks the piece looks like. "Ripples in a Pond" is the name of one piece I ended up buying for myself. One of my favorite titles is "Pig Spit".
It was a small gallery and a small exhibit, with about 20 works on view. It was opening night, and there was a good crowd. I had invited several friends who brought other friends, including sculptor Susan Wagner (known for her new statue of Roberto Clemente at Three Rivers Stadium). Fred Schwan of BNR Press drove over from Ohio. He took a number of photos. I met plenty of interesting people, most of whom already knew Boggs or had heard of his work.
Boggs was there, too, of course. He had flown up from Florida the day before. He had with him a copy of the upcoming Dec/Jan issue of Worth magazine, which had an article picturing one of the Boggs works on display. It's Boggs' version of a design the B.E.P. might use one day for the one dollar bill. The article asked several artists to give their visions of possible new bills. Keep your eye on the newsstands.
At the end of the evening Boggs completed a transaction, spending one of the $1 notes for a 99-cent trinket brought by a woman who'd been trying to track him down since the P.A.N. show in October '93. Boggs then invited everyone left in the room to join him for drinks at the Mardi Gras bar in Shadyside, a trendy neighborhood a couple miles away. About a dozen of us took him up on the offer, sharing drinks and conversation til about 1 am.
Since I needed a ride home anyway, I invited everyone over to my house for a nightcap. As we sat in the living room, Boggs asked the group to name some famous and influential women in history. He's planning a new series of Boggs notes featuring women. The note shown in Worth features a young Harriett Tubman. If you have any names to suggest, send me email and I'll forward the information. For each name you suggest, include a phrase describing what she is famous for.
The seven of us had a few more beers and goofed around til about 3 am. I'm glad I don't do that every night. I straggled into the office a little late today. OK, a lot late. But it sure was a fun evening.
PS: One event to keep an eye out for is Bogg's upcoming Internet distribution of an electronic Boggs bill. It will be a graphics file people can download and print. As soon as I hear any details, I'll post them to the list.
Wayne Homren
. . .