David Weiss: Works, 1968–1979 illuminates the pioneering Swiss artist’s early work before his well-known collaboration with Peter Fischli. The book features his cartoon imagery, ethereal abstractions and electric cityscapes hidden away until his untimely death, as well as previously unpublished writings, unveiling a young David Weiss developing the irreverent vocabulary that would later define the groundbreaking work of Fischli/Weiss.

Intimate anecdotes of Weiss’ youth told by close friends Urs Lüthi and Hans Ulrich Obrist explore his creative determination and repeated voluntary exiles, while curator Douglas Fogle considers the ecology of influences on his early work, from Robert Walser to Bugs Bunny. The book is published in the Swiss Institute series, which adds retrospective context (essays, artist portfolios, archival materials and other documentation) to exhibitions at Swiss Institute in New York.

Visual artist(s): David Weiss
Contributions by: Hans Ulrich Obrist, Urs Lüthi, Douglas Fogle