- 291 (Journal)
The arts and literary journal 291 was published from 1915-1916 in New York City. It was created by photographer and modern art promoter
Alfred Stieglitz , along withMarius de Zayas , Agnes Meyer and Paul Haviland, as a way to bring attention to Stieglitz's gallery of the same name (291). The journal published art work, essays, poems and reviews byFrancis Picabia ,John Marin ,Max Jacob ,Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes , de Zayas, Stieglitz and other avant-garde artists and writers of the time.The tone of the journal was one of irreverence for academic-style art combined with a desire to confront accepted standards. The brief articles were often infused with satire, but occasionally they contained serious introspection. In the first issue, for example, Stieglitz wrote about three of his dreams while Meyer wrote a piece entitled "How verus Why" in which she examined a scientific model for art criticism.
Above all, the journal was known for its cutting edge presentation. Art historian William Innes Homer has said "In design and content, there was no periodical in American more advanced than "291"." [cite book|author=William Innes Homer|title=alfred Stieglitz and the American Avant-Garde|publisher=Boston: New York Graphic Society|date=1977|page=194]
The journal was published in two editions: a standard subscription and a deluxe edition limited to 100 copies. Both were published in a large format (20" x 12"/50.8cm x 30.5cm). All issues are highly valued now, and a complete set is extremely rare.
Only 12 issues of "291" were published. It never attracted a wide audience, and the high costs of production became too much to sustain.
References
External links
* [http://www.cargillcontemporary.com/papers/291/index.htm Stieglitz's 291: An american Avant-Garde Magazine]
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