This Tuesday, March 31…V-SCAPE at HAL’s invites you to an evening with George Herms from 6 to 8 pm.

The evening will celebrate the publication of George Herms: The River Book as well as an exhibition of works by George Herms with an artist reception at the Upstair’s Gallery at Hal’s.

George Herms: The River Book is the first-ever comprehensive publication on acclaimed and pivotal California assemblage artist George Herms (born 1935). The handsome, two-volume slipcased book covers his earliest works from the 1960s, through his influential assemblages from the 1970s to today, as well as his work on such films as Easy Rider, his set designs for poet and playwright Michael McClure and dancer/choreographer Fred Herko, and his fascinating collaborations with, among others, Diane di Prima and Wallace Berman, for his LOVE Press series of hand-printed books.

Interspersed throughout are comments by Herms on various works and on his creative ethos. Also included is a trove of never-before-seen archival photographs of Herms’ friends, such as Wallace and Tosh Berman, Fred Herko, Diane di Prima, Kirby Doyle and Ray Johnson, as well as of Herms himself. A bonus DVD showcases the entirety of Herms’ opera The Artist’s Life. Renowned art critic Dave Hickey provides an insightful look at the artist and his milieu, and the artist himself offers witty and informative text throughout. This is truly an essential book for anyone interested in California art, the Beats, avant-garde theater and film, and fine-art printing.

The regular edition of George Herms: The River book and a deluxe edition of 100, including a signed, numbered, and stamped original lithograph will be available for purchase.

George Herms: The River Book and the print Lucky Seven were published by Hamilton Press, Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice.

Click here to find out more about the book.

What: Artist reception
Where: Hal’s Bar and Grill, 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice 90291 
When: 6:00 pm  – 8:00 pm
Website: http://halsbarandgrill.com/