Keith Sonnier and Gemini G.E.L. Air To Air 1975 Near MINT * SIGNED *

Keith Sonnier and Gemini G.E.L.

#23 / 50 (the lower the number the better the value)

Transcribed information from Air to Air by Keith Sonnier, produced in collaboration with Leo Castelli and Douglas Christmas, February 8 to 22, 1975. Amplified space installation with transmission systems for communication by long distance audio connection between Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York.
Transmitting and receiving telecommunication locations: Ace Gallery 811 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles; Leo Castelli Gallery, 4 East 77th Street, New York City.

Recorded information from Air to Air produced by Gemini G.E.L. in collaboration with Keith Sonnier.
Voice arrangements supplied from two watts telephone lines.
The transmission and reception was recorded on stereo LP.
Side A: N.Y. L.A. Side B: L.A. N.Y.
16 track mix by Basement Studio Inc. with Kurt Munkacsi.
Voice print arranged through the UCLA phonetics department by George Papçun. Reproduction of voice print by Blair Litho, Los Angeles, in offset lithography.

-Comes with Print Documentation signed and dated by both artists as shown in pictures, and with detailed information on this record project. Has a rip in the top.

-Record Condition: Near Mint to Near Mint Minus (see below)

***NOTE: I HAVE NOT PLAYED THIS RECORD SO I CANNOT CONFIRM THE QUALITY OF SOUND, ONLY THE COSMETIC DETAIL. However, due to the fantastic cosmetic quality, I assume the sound quality is equally as good.

-Outside cover: there are fingerprint smudges which can probably be cleaned off. There is a slight rip on the front cover as shown in picture. not big or noticeable unless inspecting. 98% solid and bright white as originated.

-Inside sleeve is near mint/perfect except for tiny tiny rip on the bottom which is not noticeable.

During the 1960s and 1970s, contemporary artists were supposed to free themselves from art spaces, white cubes and other commodified venues in favor of out-sized artworks, outdoor events and out-of-control live performances. Not so with US artist Keith Sonnier (b.1941), who always felt at home in the art gallery’s four walls, contrary to similar artists like Max Neuhaus or Bill Fontana. When this LP was released in 1975, Sonnier was a Leo Castelli protégé, with several solo shows in his New York gallery since 1972. At the time, Sonnier was creating multimedia installations using live video, sound transmission and light.

The Air to Air LP, published in 2 versions (see below) by Los Angeles gallery Gemini G.E.L. in 1975, documents a twin sound installation based on long distance phone connection between art gallery staffs and attendees, from New York to Los Angeles on side 1, and from Los Angeles to New York on side 2. Ace Gallery in Los Angeles and Leo Castelli Gallery in NY presented the installation from February 8 to 22, 1975. I assume both exhibitions consisted of microphones and headphones hanging from the walls for volunteers to call the other Coast. The limited edition came with voice print diagrams printed in offset lithography.

The LP’s sound work is based on casual conversations, static and insistent high-pitched tonality. A disturbing disjunction arises from the fact we only hear one speaker at a time, though several unrelated conversations are randomly superposed. One participant calls the experience ‘super-telepathy’. The final mix of disembodied voices speaking in the vacant space carries a feeling of impossible communication. If long distance phone calls can reduce the distance between people, this mix actually, and somewhat ironically, increases the gap between Los Angeles and New York, as if resisting the globalization to come. The record is produced by Kurt Munkacsi, Philip Glass’s official NY producer, who also worked for Brian Eno, David Bowie and Diamanda Galás, a.o. Thanks to reader Rainier for the rip and scans.

KEITH SONNIER Air To Air
01 Side 1 (12:43)
02 Side 2 (16:33)

Total time 29:16
LP released by Gemini, G.E.L., Los Angeles, 1975

-- CONDITION RATINGS --

NM NEAR MINT The record should show no obvious signs of wear. The very slightest signs of use, truly near mint. May have few signs of wear on the cover and/ or few slight paper scuffs on the vinyl. Plays perfectly

NM- NEAR MINT MINUS  The record will show some signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. There should be no obvious defects (Scratches/Warps).

E : Light use is evident. The beginnings of light wear will be evident on the cover and some surface scuffs will apear on the vinyl BUT record will playwith no surface noise.

VG++ : Use is evident but not bad. Cover has some ring wear along with some rub along the edges, spine and the corners along the spine. Record has some marks , very light scratches.

VG+ : Average use record, looks OK, plays OK, some noise is possible. Record has most of the original gloss. Record was played but was well cared for.

VG : Cover shows more than normal wear and vinyl has some groove wear or several scratches or some significant scratches. This record will play with noise that does not overwhelm the music.

G : Significant surface noise, scratches, visible groove wear , may skip or repeat.

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