Late Start For Mardi Gras Box Set

LSFMG began in 2019 with a 200-page printout of one of M. Blagg’s 2011 manuscripts, randomly stitched onto raw canvas by J. Huminska, and tacked to his studio walls for further editing and redaction while he convalesced from a tick-borne illness. 

These ‘text-canvases’, ranged in size from 12”x 60” to 48”x 72”, each comprising anywhere from 4 to 16 pages of text. With a couple dozen of these ‘ready-mades’ on hand, Blagg began inviting artists to collaborate. They chose their piece by title or text, working directly on the canvas or in some cases creating an entirely new piece. The project took its name from the first piece that was completed by Walter Robinson, entitled LATE START FOR MARDI GRAS.

LSFMG culminated in 21 poems and 21 artworks, as well as this SIGNED 7 volume series of individually red thread stitch bound booklets presented in a hand assembled box, numbered & in an edition of 45  + 5 artist proofs.

Each slim tome features the work of 3 of these collaborating artists:

Golnar Adili, Ellen Berkenblit, Ernesto Caivano, Michael Combs,  Peter Dayton, Sally Egbert, Eric Fischl, James Gilroy, Nan Goldin, Michael Halsband,  Curtis Kulig,  Justen Ladda,  Ruth Marten, Jamie Nares, Walter Robinson, Nick Rule, Will Ryman, Ken Tisa, Walter Schrank, Ryan Wallace and Lucy Winton.

Each artist received 1 signed box for their participation, as well as 2 booklets of the volume in which their piece is featured. A private ceremonial hand-off of the box sets to participating artists was held at La Esquina on March 26, 2024, while12 box sets were made available for private sale. 

7 box sets remain available for sale. The box set price will increase as availability decreases. Price inquiries available upon request to  [email protected] 

The attached selection of images provide a glimpse of series.