Atelier Éditions presents John Cage: A Mycological Foray – Variations on Mushrooms, a monograph exploring the American composer’s fascination with mushrooms, releasing early June 2020.
John Cage: A Mycological Foray draws readers across the idiosyncratic, mushroom-suffused, innermost landscape of celebrated American composer John Cage. Upon the remarkable journey with Cage, one encounters assorted photographs, compositions, and contemplations; all in the very same unexpected fashion one encounters various flora and fungi species while mushroom foraging. Volume I encompasses Cage’s mycological-oriented Indeterminacy stories, Diary excerpts, and essays; and the complete transcript of Cage’s 1983 performance, MUSHROOMS et Variationes. Volume II offers the inaugural reproduction of Cage’s 1972 portfolio, Mushroom Book; authored in collaboration with illustrator Lois Long and botanist Alexander H. Smith.
“I have come to the conclusion that much can be learned about music by devoting oneself to the mushroom.” – John Cage, 1954
About the artist : John Cage (1912–92) was an American composer and music theorist. Recognized as a pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music and a leading figure of the post- war avant-garde, his influence extended to the realms of dance, poetry, performance and visual art.
WORKS by John Cage
CENTRAL ESSAY by Kingston Trinder ADD. TEXTS by Isabelle Bucklow EDITED by Ananda Pellerin
PUBLISHED by Atelier Éditions 1
FIRST EDITION
Edition of 4500
ISBN # 978-1-7336220-0-4
Hardcover Slipcase, 2 Volume Set 224 pages including
198 b&w and 25 colour photographs
8 x 10.75 inches
Printed sustainably in Italy Retail: $55 (US)
