Dirty Trashy Things

By Jess D'Amico in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 12, 2008 3:06PM

We've never sent a letter of admiration to anyone before, but we might start. That's what Marc Fischer, head of Public Collectors, did to vagabond Parisian artist Bruno Richard. Over ten years he sent a wealth of papers, letters, art, trash, and anything else he could stuff in an envelope. And now you can see some of this correspondence on display.

Why would you want to go look at someone's trash? First, because Richard cared enough to spend nine years sending a stranger these bits and scraps of his life. Second, because the more we learn about Bruno Richard, the more we want to know. Richard's been self publishing under the moniker "Elles Sont de Sortie" (the girls are going out) about everything from interracial sex, violence against women, suicide and torture. His diaries include every movie he's ever seen, a list of medications he was on, and stories about his relationships scrawled over scavenged photos.

This exhibit was previously featured at Columbia College, but was behind glass and poorly displayed. This time visitors will be able to sift through the unpublished mock-ups, drawings, and scraps by hand. A warning, Richard's drawings and subject matter are often adult in nature so we don't recommend bringing the kids. According to the Public Collectors' website, Bruno has asked to try and count the total number of pieces in the collection. So even if you're not that interested in the art but are good at and enjoy counting, attendance is recommended.

Today, January 12, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Mess Hall, 6932 N Glenwood Ave. Free!

Image of a two-page spread from Richard’s 1982 book “Sexy Politzei”