COLAB, X Motion Picture Magazine, Complete Set of Three Issues (Issue #2 with the rare hand-colored X), 1977/78 — Available as a set
The late 1970s saw radical changes in New York’s downtown art scene, when a new generation of artists moved into the city and looked for ways to take control of their future. Nothing personified this do-it-yourself spirit quite as fully as the loosely organized artist group Collaborative Projects Inc. (COLAB), a certified non-profit organization whose members could now apply for government grants without having to go through museums and alternative spaces.
At COLAB meetings, artists voted on the proposals that the group submitted to funding agencies. The emphasis was on collaborative projects that any member of the group could participate in. COLAB was remarkably successful, getting funds to purchase video and film equipment, to mount group exhibitions like the Times Square Show, and to create and maintain artist-run spaces like ABC No Rio on the Lower East Side, and Fashion Moda in the South Bronx.
X Motion Picture Magazine was an early project that reflected the group’s roots among young filmmakers who most needed to share equipment and labor. Contributors to the first issue included Kathy Acker, Diego Cortez, Jimmy de Sana, Eric Mitchell, James Nares, Terence Severine (Sellers) and Betsy Sussler. Subjects included the films of Piero Pasolini, German terrorism, and underground filmmaker Jack Smith. Future issues grew in size, and by the third, and final issue, the magazine’s title was changed to X Magazine to reflect a broadening of COLAB’s membership.
While contributors to X submitted whatever they wanted, without any cohesive aesthetic, the magazine increasingly reflected the expanded interest in sexuality and politics present in both mainstream American culture, and in more extreme terms, among downtown artists. The magazine is often grouped with the rise of Punk, and compared to the No Wave film and music movement popular in the downtown clubs that many COLAB artists frequented.
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X Motion Picture Magazine, First Issue, December 1977
COLAB, X Motion Picture Magazine, Cover: stills from Jean-Luc Godard’s Ici et Aillieur (1970-75), Vol 1 No. 1, 30-Pages, December 1977. Size: 11.5 x 7.5 inches — Only available as part of the complete set
Kathy Acker “Blood and Guts in High School, A Movie Review by Janey Smith”
Jack Smith by Jimmy de Sana
Contributors: Diego Cortez, Terrence Severine (Sellers), Eric Mitchell, Kathy Acker, Michael McClard, Duncan Smith, Betsy Sussler, Jacki Ochs, Mitch Corber, Alan Moore, James Nares, Jimmy deSana.
Issue assembled by: Michael McClard, Eric Mitchell, Betsy Sussler
X Motion Picture Magazine, Second Issue, February 1978
COLAB, X Motion Picture Magazine, Cover Image Selected by Michael McClard, Vol 2 No. 2/3, 60-Pages, February 1978. Size: 14 x 11.5 inches — Individual Copies Available
Jimmy de Sana, Andy Warhol photographing Victor Hugo
“Reactionnari Travis” by Eric Mitchell. Photos by Marcia Resnick
“Money” by Beth B
List of Contributors: Kathy Acker, Charles Ahearn, Scott B, Send/Receive Satellite Network, Tim Burns, Jimmy de Sana, Stefan Eins, Colen Fitzgibbon & Michael McClard, Craig Gholson, Duncan Hannah, Beth B, Scott Johnson, Tina L’Hotsky, Jeremy Lipp, Katy Martin, Aline Mayer, Eric Mitchell, Alan Moore, James Nares, Michael Oblowitz, Judy Rifka, Terence C. Sellers, Duncan Smith, Lindzee Smith, Susan Springfield, Betsy Sussler, Robin Winters, Jeff Goldberg, Robert Cooney, Philippe Demontaut, Philip Fraser, Leandro Katz, Sonia Miranda, Jack Iochs, Amos Poe, Marcia Resnick, Leisa Stroud
Issue assembled by: the X collective & co-ordinated by Jimmy de Sana, Colen Fitzgibbon, Lindzee Smith, Betsy Sussler
X Motion Picture Magazine, Third Issue, May 1978
COLAB, X Motion Picture Magazine, Cover Design by Alan W. Moore, Vol 2 #4/5/6, 60-Pages, May 1978. Size: 14 x 11.5 inches — Only available as part of the complete set
Collage by Duncan Hannah
“Official/Suicide/Terrorist/Protest” Anya Phillips and Diego Cortez attended the testimony of Irmgard Moller. Drawings by Anya Phillips. Double Page Spread.
Centerfold thanking the bands who played the benefit concert for X Magazine.
Contributors: Beth B, Duncan Smith, Tom Otterness, Dorian Brew, Robert Cooney, Betsy Sussler, Nancy Murray, Bruce Wolmer, Terence C. Sellers, Seth Tillet, Tim Burns, Kathy Acker, Vivienne Dick, Diego Cortez, Scott B, Rene Ricard, Anya Phillips, Kristen Bates, Robin Winters, Randi Cohen, Duncan Hannah, Ilona Granet, Marcia Resnick, F. Demi, Julius Valinnas, Jimmy de Sana, Liza Bear, Charlie Ahearn, Beate Nilsen, Tina L’hotsky, Alan Moore, Dee Dee Halleck, Cara Brownell, Helen Rutherford, Michael Sahl, Colen Fitzgibbon, Michael McClard, Mitch Corber
