Beau Geste Press

Beau Geste Press: A Catalogue Dé-Raisonné of Radical Publishing (1971-1976)

Published by the CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux in collaboration with BOM DIA BOA TARDE BOA NOITE, this comprehensive reference work chronicles the legacy of the independent publishing house Beau Geste Press (BGP). Active from 1971 to 1976, BGP was a haven for visual poets, neo-Dadaists, and Fluxus-affiliated artists who gathered at its rural outpost to produce groundbreaking printed works.

The publication documents the prolific output of BGP’s founding members—Felipe Ehrenberg, Martha Hellion, David Mayor, and Chris Welch—alongside contributions from visiting artists. This richly illustrated 472-page volume serves as a ‘catalogue dé-raisonné,’ detailing all printed works produced by BGP and contextualizing its creative practices through critical essays and personal accounts.

The book highlights BGP’s radical working methods: autonomous production, collaborative artistry, and international distribution through postal networks. Designed by Studio Manuel Raeder and edited by curator Alice Motard, the project extends the spirit of BGP’s artistic community, paying tribute to its enduring influence on independent publishing and experimental art practices.