“Avalanche was a unique media phenomenon in an age that crossed boundaries freely, a cross between a magazine, an artist book and an exhibition space in print.”

Willoughby Sharp and Liza Béar founded Avalanche shortly after they met in 1968. At the time, Sharp was a New York-based independent curator and Béar an underground magazine editor who had recently moved to New York from London. They published the first issue in 1970 and collaborated on thirteen issues from 1970 to 1976.

Avalanche focused on art from the perspective of artists rather than critics. With its probing interviews, extensive use of photography and dynamic lay-outs,Avalanche investigated new forms of art that were developing in the US and Europe. For many artists, publication in Avalanche preceded a one-person gallery or museum show. Aside from an 8-page news section, the editorial content included only interviews, artists’ texts and documents of art and art making. All interviews were conducted by Sharp, Béar or done jointly. Among the featured artists were Vito Acconci, Joseph Beuys, Hanne Darboven, Walter De Maria, Jan Dibbets, Philip Glass, Barry Le Va, Sol LeWitt, Richard Long, Gordon Matta-Clark, Bruce Nauman, Dennis Oppenheim, Yvonne Rainer, Keith Sonnier, Richard Serra, Robert Smithson, William Wegman, Lawrence Weiner and Jackie Winsor.

9.5 x 18.75 inches
1016 pages
Hardcover slipcase with 13 paperback issues
B&W
May 2010
ISBN: 9780978869748

Deluxe Edition is available here

The Early History of Avalanche by Liza Béar and Willoughby Sharp.

Square Magazine Format:

Avalanche 1, Fall, 100 pages, b&w, Earth Art, 1970
Avalanche 2, Spring, 140 pages, b&w, Body Works, 1971
Avalanche 3, Fall, 100 pages, b&w, Post-Studio Sculpture, 1971
Avalanche 4, Spring, 100 pages, b&w, Conceptual Art, 1972
Avalanche 5, Summer, 84 pages, b&w, Performance, 1972
Avalanche 6, Fall, 100 pages, b&w, Vito Acconci, 1972
Avalanche 7, Winter/Spring, 84 pages, color, Humor, 1973
Avalanche 8, Summer/Fall, 84 pages, b&w, 1973

Tabloid Newspaper Format:

Avalanche 9, May/June, 36 pages, b&w, Video Performance, 1974
Avalanche 10, December, 52 pages, b&w, 1974
Avalanche 11, Summer, 40 pages, b&w, 1975
Avalanche 12, Winter, 40 pages, b&w, 1975
Avalanche 13, Summer, 48 pages, two-color, 1976

Introductory quote was taken from The Early History of Avalanche, Chelsea Space, London, by Liza Béar and Willoughby Sharp, 2005.

The Avalanche archive is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

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Managing Editors: James Hoff/Miriam Katzeff
Managing Designer: Jeremy Mickel