The Nam

Fiona Banner aka The Vanity Press RA

RA Collection: Book

Record number

18/2554

Author

Imprint

London: Frith Street Books, 1997

Physical Description

[1000] p. ; 28 cm. (pbk).

General Note

"Published by Frith Street Books in [April] 1997. Distributed by Frith Street Gallery, London. With funding from the Arts Council of England and special thanks to the Hayward Gallery." [colophon]
Originally produced as a single artwork for the exhibition 'Spellbound' at the Hayward Gallery, London, 22 February to 6 May 1996

Summary Note

"The Nam is a 1000 page all text flick book. It is a compilation of total descriptions of well known Vietnam films, Full Metal Jacket, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now!, Born on the Fourth of July, Hamburger Hill and Platoon. The films apparently never begin or end, but are described in their entirety, spliced together to make a gutting 11 hour supermovie.

Banner describes the films as if she is there, not influencing the plot, but always on set running alongside the action. The Nam is a constantly present, seamless account of the films. You might say that this book is the ultimate unedited text, a world in which nothing is prioritised, but everything. As you begin to know, you only see what you see." [Artists' website].

Copy Note

1000 [un-numbered] copies printed
Inscribed on title page in black in: "Fiona Banner 2010"

Name as Subject

Subject

Conceptual art
Artists' books

Contributors

ISBN

0951495313 [paperback edition]
9780951495315 [hardback edition]