‘Silâns’ (1964-1965)

Barry Flanagan gave his original copies to St Martins School of Art special collections. (Now it is CSM, University of the Arts) Judy Lindsay of the Special collections was enthusiastic about the plan to print a facsimile that would be faithful to the original ideology of fast cheap production experimental art magazine. But since Flanagan had given his copies for safe keeping and also with the intention that they would be available for research purposes it was necessary to get a license from the University of the Arts to print the book. The run is 1000 copies and its availability will give a fresh look at the collaborations between poetry, the visual arts and the ferment of ideas, between art practices, which embrace concrete poetry as sculptural form, the beat and underground scene.

Interestingly the Royal Academy shop considers the book ‘too avant garde’ to stock. Their response is remarkable as it demonstrates that for the RA, the twenty-three year old Barry Flanagan was producing work of a more radical nature than the YBA’s, showcased at the RA in the Sensation exhibition in 1997. Amongst those selected were Damian Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin, Mark Quinn, Jake and Dinos Chapman.