908 - Avant-garde - Russia

Avant-garde - Russia Bal Olympique (collection of 3 large-format program leaflets in yellow, pink, and blue). A true costumed sports ball organized by the Union of Russian Artists in Paris. Friday, July 11, 1924 (...) Includes 2 original illustrations, one based on a drawing by V. Barthe and a large lithographic illustration based on a costume design by N. Goncharova, as well as a facsimile of sheet music by G. Tailleferre. Paris, self-published, 1924. Approx. 65 x 25 cm. Each printed on both sides and folded down the center. Three spectacular program leaflets in yellow, pink, and blue for the costume ball of the international Parisian avant-garde held on the occasion of the 1924 Olympics. - Bolliger VI, 715 (in a bundle with a program booklet and admission ticket). Rare; according to the publisher’s announcement, only 300 of these program leaflets were printed. - In the 1920s, “L’Union des Artistes Russes,” an association of Russian artists living in Paris, organized several legendary balls that can also be considered happenings avant la lettre: “Grand Bal des Artistes” (1923), “Bal Banal” (1924), “Bal de la Grande Ourse” (1925), and the “Bal Olympique” advertised here in 1924. The program printed on the flyer for the spectacle—billed as a “true ball of sports,” but actually an artistic parody of the 1924 Summer Olympics held shortly before in Paris—included dances, a puppet show, musical performances, Tristan Tzara’s “Spectacle on the Ladder,” a recitation by Iliazd, and much more—50 artists from the large international avant-garde community gathered in Paris, including George Braque, Marc Chagall, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Foujita, Man Ray, F. T. Marinetti, Henry Matisse, Francis Picabia, Pablo Picasso, and Ossip Zadkine, took part in designing the ballroom, a task that had to be completed in one hour. The participants also designed the program and various printed materials, including the program booklet, this program flyer, invitation letters, and admission tickets. — With a complete list of participating artists. The illustration by Goncharova is titled: “Costume Design for the Olympic Ball, suitable for both sexes. Recommended for those in a hurry.” — Slightly discolored along the edges. 1 sheet slightly creased and with a short tear at the edge. Isolated minimal discoloration along the margins. Each with smoothed folds. In good condition. Three spectacular program posters in yellow, pink, and blue, each featuring one large lithographic illustration by N. Goncharova to promote the costume ball of the international Parisian avant-garde on the occasion of the 1924 Olympics. - For references, see above. - Scarce; according to the organizers themselves, only 300 of the posters were printed. - In the 1920s, “L’Union des Artistes Russes,” an association of Russian artists living in Paris, organized several legendary balls, which can also be considered happenings avant la lettre: “Grand Bal des Artistes” (1923), “Bal Banal” (1924), “Bal de la Grande Ourse” (1925), and the “Bal Olympique” announced here in 1924. The program for this spectacle, billed as a “true ball of sports” and actually an artistic parody of the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris shortly before, included dances, a puppet theater, musical interludes, Tristan Tzara’s “Spectacular on the Ladder,” a recitation by Iliazd, and much more. — Fifty artists from the international avant-garde, many of whom had gathered in Paris—including George Braque, Marc Chagall, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Foujita, Man Ray, F. T. Marinetti, Henri Matisse, Francis Picabia, Pablo Picasso, and Ossip Zadkine, participated in the design of the ballroom, which had to be completed within one hour. The participants also designed the program and various printed materials, including the program booklet, this program poster—which is printed on both sides—as well as invitations and tickets. - Includes a complete list of participating artists. The illustration by Goncharova is titled: “Costume Project for the Olympic Ball Suitable for Both Genders. Recommended for those in attendance.” – Some light shelf wear at the edges. One leaf is slightly creased with a minimal short tear at the edge. Each has flattened folds. Well preserved. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.