RUSCHA, EDWARD. "S". Unique found-object work/book sculpture. Utilizing Paul Hervieu's Flirt (4to, 1/2 blue morocco, 12 1/4 x 9 1/2 inches; 310 x 245 mm; Paris, 1890; discreet gallery label on front pastedown). Among the most recognizable of Ruscha's bleached books due to the fact that this copy was reproduced as the front cover for "S Books," a catalog Ruscha published in 2001 featuring the front covers of 26 of these works that had been similarly altered to reveal the letter "S" and was published in conjunction with the exhibition Ed Ruscha: S Books, O Books, And Other Books, July 12 - September 22, 2001 at James Kelly Contemporary, Santa Fe. Ruscha produced two series of works in the late 90s - the "O" books and the "S" books - all of which used found books as a ground for unique paintings. Most of these works were smaller in scale, framed and hung on the wall like a painting, while a few of the larger books remained unframed. This is one of the larger examples. In addition to the Santa Fe exhibition referenced above, these works were also featured at Leo Castelli Gallery, New York and Texas Gallery, Houston, the latter venue from which the present example was acquired. Np, 1999