Richard Hell

White Columns will host a small exhibition of Richard Hell’s 50-year history - 1968-2018 - as a small press writer, publisher, editor and designer. Hell, under his original name of Richard Meyers, began his first small literary magazine and press at the age of 17, shortly after arriving in New York City. The magazine was called Genesis : Grasp, as was the press. Genesis : Grasp ran for six issues (numbers 1-5/6, 1968 - 1971), and also released three authors' first books and two folders of broadsheets. Richard’s small press endeavors have proceeded, under a variety of names (Ernie Stomach, Theresa Stern, Richard Meyers; Genesis : Grasp Press, Dot Books, CUZ Editions …), up through the present, in publications often typeset and printed, as well as designed, by Hell.

The reception on the opening night of the exhibition will also be a party for the publication of Richard’s most recent small press book, Untitled, which contains new fiction as well as poems, and is published by Merde : Press, edited by Kyle Void. Richard will give a very brief reading and will sign copies of his new book. Also available at the party will be the new issue, number 3/4, of Merde magazine, featuring cover art by Richard and contributions from Elaine Equi, Christopher Wool, John Godfrey, Katherine Faw, and Charles Henri Ford, among others.