James Lee Byars

30.04–15.05.1975
de Appel, Brouwersgracht 196, Amsterdam

The Perfect Epitaph I

The Perfect Epitaph II

The Wand

April 30: The Perfect Epitaph: Byars pushed a big ball of red lava with a diameter of fifty cm and weighing a hundred kilos along the Brouwersgracht into the exhibition space of De Appel, wearing a golden suit and a black top hat that covered his eyes.

May 3rd he showed the epitaph for one hour in the hall of the Stedelijk Museum. In March Byars had already performed The perfect epitaph on the occasion of Toni Gerber's trip to Nepal. Byars pushed the stone through the ancient area of Bern; from the clock tower to the gallery of Gerber. A registration of this performance by Urs Egger was shown during the opening of the exhibition.

The Autobiography: a film was shown in a flash, portraying Byars in full-length.

The 25 Philosophers of Amsterdam Live: in the performance space, twenty-five philosophers were sitting bolt upright in rows of five, to be immortalized in a classic group portrait.

May 8: I do nothing: in the performance space of which the floor was painted gold, Byars handed out little golden balls. Unfolded these turned out to be made of Chinese funeral paper with the text 'I do nothing' printed on it.

May 11: The Wand: on several locations in Amsterdam Byars stood still, holding a ten meters long golden stick.

April 30 - May 15, 14 to 17 p.m.: In the performance space Byars conversated with the visitors, dressed in a golden suit or in an outfit of red, black or white satin. After the exhibition, a super 8 film containing all the performances was sold in De Appel.