DescriptionExtremely rare original folded invitation from the legendary Leo Castelli Gallery on East 77th Street in New York from April 11 to April 29 1961 for Yves Klein's "Le Monochrome" exhibition. At the same time, Yves moved into the Chelsea Hotel for two months. According to the artist's archives, "in the wake of mutual incomprehension between the public and the artists, Yves wrote The Chelsea Hotel Manifesto, Chelsea Hotel, New York, 1961.
This exhibition - "Le Mononchrome", first mounted at Castelli, would then travel to the Virginia Dwan Gallery in Los Angeles.
The invitation was designed as a mailer, and as such, very few were kept after having been mailed. This one, as is evident, was never mailed to anyone, hence it is in better condition than most. That said, it was folded as a small square, and the white creases are evident throughout the monochromatic blue in the invitation fold areas. There is also about 1 inch creasing to the left and right center fold area, and there are some ink smudges and handling marks in the gallery text section (verso). Otherwise in very good condition.
This Castelli invitation is an extremely scarce and desirable piece of art ephemera.
Printed at IMPRIMERIE MAZARINE in Paris, France.
