AXE is a multimedia magazine edited by Guy Schraenen between 1975 and 1976. It features artists such as Henri Chopin, Jean Degottex, Mirtha Dermisache, Françoise Dufrêne, Brion Gysin,
John Giorno, Sten Hanson, Bernard Heidsieck, Françoise Mairey, Paul van Ostajen and many more, most of them not known at that time. Their interventions focus mainly on sound
poetry, visual poetry and verbal poetry, but also on conceptual works. It contains writings, posters, postcards, cut-outs, fold-outs etc., printed in offset, typography and silkscreen on various
types of paper. Each issue includes a 17 cm record. The first 10 numbers contain also a Super 8 film. AXE serves thus as an exhibition space on its own. But once unfolded outside the covers,
the inserts can easily fill an entire exhibition space.
All together, three issues have been published. Available are single issues as well as the complete set of three issues in a slipcase: 30 x 21 x 4,5 cm (each issue: 30 x
21 x 1 cm), 500 copies.
Special edition: with numbered and signed works by each artist.
The first 10 copies of each issue include an original work and a Super 8 film by an artist (see: SOUND & FILM).
AXE N° 1
Apr.1975
Roy Adzak (O*) – Eduard Bal – Bram Bogart – Henri Chopin (D*) – Degottex (C/N/F*) – Mirtha Dermisache – Bernard Heidsieck – J.P. Schelfhout (N*) – Ung No Lee (N) – Niko Van Daele – Paul Van Ostaijen - Oscar Jesper.
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* C=Cover; D=Record; F=Film; N=Numbered and signed work; O=Original
AXE N° 2
Nov.1975
Antoine De Bary (N) – Maurice Benhamou – Hugo De Clercq – François Dufrêne (D/F) – Servulo Esmeraldo (N) – Rene Guiette (C/N) – Brion Gysin (D) – Bernard Heidsieck – Plessi (O)
AXE N° 3
Dec.1976
Jo Delahaut – John Giorno – Brion Gysin (C/N/F) – Sten Hanson (D) – Bernard Heidsieck (O) – Arrigo Lora Totino (N) – Françoise Mairey (N) – Klaus Ritterbusch
References:
Poésure et peintrie : d'un art, l'autre, exhibition catalogue, Marseille 1993, p. 412 / 597:
"All works are limited edition originals. It is one of the most beautiful and interesting magazines, as it includes sound, visual and
verbal poetry".
Bernard Heidsieck in a conversation with Jacques Donguy; in: Poésure et peintrie, 1993:
"Yes, he had always great sense of implementing things with a great taste and a professionalism, although this is done with very simple facilities. There were only three issues but everyone is fine, one with a cover from Degottex, the other from Brian Gysin, and each time he approached objects or publications, he did it with great ingenuity and great sophistication".
Interview with Guy Schraenen about AXE; in: Marie Boivent: Revues d'artistes, une sélection, Rennes 2008, pp. 96-101
Reflection on AXE within the context of artists' magazines; in: Marie Boivent: La revue d’artiste. Enjeux et spécificités d’une pratique artistique, Rennes, 2015, pp. 119, 254, 302, 398, 424.
