Iliazd: A Meta-Biography of a Modernist

The book "Iliazd: A Biography" is a captivating portrait of futurist artist Iliazd, infused with the reflections of his accidental biographer on the stickiness of the genre. It explores Iliazd's life as a modern artist and poet, his collaboration with major figures of modern art, and his unique hands-on engagement with book production and design. Johanna Drucker weaves two stories together: the history of Iliazd's work and the author's encounter with his widow and other figures in the process of researching his biography. The book is enriched with photographs from the Iliazd archive and primary documents, providing a vivid account of a unique contributor to modernism. It also reflects on the relationship between documentary evidence and narrative, contemporary witnesses and retrospective accounts, and the connection between the life of an artist and their work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2020
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

The poet Ilia Zdanevich, known in his professional life as Iliazd, embarked on his artistic journey within the pre-Revolutionary circles of Russian futurism. By the time of his passing, he had established himself as the publisher of exquisite limited edition books in the glamorous city of Paris. Iliazd's remarkable work has recently been the focus of major exhibitions in prestigious venues such as Moscow, his hometown of Tbilisi, New York, and other cities. His artistic creations have garnered immense appreciation from bibliophiles and collectors alike, owing to their exquisite book design and innovative typography. Iliazd had the privilege of collaborating with numerous prominent figures in the realm of modern art, including Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay, Max Ernst, Joán Miro, Natalia Goncharova, and Mikhail Larionov. His 1949 anthology, titled "The Poetry of Unknown Words," holds the distinction of being the first international anthology of experimental visual and sound poetry ever published. The list of contributors is a veritable Who's Who of avant-garde writing and visual art. Iliazd's unique hands-on involvement in book production and design makes him an ideal case study for exploring the book as a contemporary art form.

"Iliazd" is the first comprehensive English-language biography of the poet-publisher, as well as the first full-length study of his life and work. Johanna Drucker skillfully weaves two narratives together: the history of Iliazd's artistic and poetic endeavors, and the personal account of the author's encounter with his widow and other individuals involved in researching his biography. Drucker's reflection on the nature of a biographical project delves into the intricate relationship between documentary evidence and narrative, as well as the interplay between contemporary witnesses and retrospective accounts. Ultimately, Drucker poses thought-provoking questions about the connection between the past and the present, and how we can understand the intricate tapestry of human experiences.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421439648