The Final Edition

Artist Zara Kriegstein 1952 West Berlin, Germany – 2009 Santa Fe, New Mexico

PrinterPrinted by Michael Costello born 1955 Hudson Valley, New York; lives Santa Fe, New Mexico

Date1998

Mediumlithograph, one run from plate on Arches cover white paper, A.P. IV, (edition of 60 plus proofs)

Dimensions29 3/8 × 22 1/4 in. (74.6 × 56.5 cm)

ClassificationsPrints & Printmaking

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation

Object numberPC2022.11.9

DescriptionA black-and-white print of a skeleton wearing a necktie made from a dollar bill and reading a newspaper. The headline reads: "Hand Graphics Final Edition: One more business run out of town by exorbitant rent." The background consists of a list of small businesses that have recently closed.

On View

Not on view

Text Entries

Label Text

Exhibición: La prueba de impresor: Colaboraciones entre artistas e impresores, Albuquerque Museum, 19 Febrero – 15 Mayo, 2022

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The Final Edition (La edición final) es una observación lúdica y satírica sobre el lado comercial de la dirección de una imprenta, tarea que no pocas veces resulta agotadora. La figura del esqueleto sentado que lleva una corbata hecha con un billete de cien dólares, aparece leyendo un periódico que conmemora el 24 aniversario de Hand Graphics con un titular sobre los precios desorbitados de los alquileres y el traspaso de propiedad de Ron Adams a Michael Costello. Este grabado se hizo el año en que Hand Graphics cambió de ubicación del centro de Santa Fe a donde se encuentra actualmente la imprenta, hecho sobre el que Kriegstein bromeaba que sería un paso desastroso para el negocio. Sobre el fondo que nos recuerda a una lápida vemos una lista de artistas que han trabajado con Hand Graphics a lo largo de los años. Aunque el grabado se hizo a modo de broma, descubre cierta verdad sobre las dificultades de ganarse la vida como impresor.

Label Text

Exhibition: The Printer’s Proof: Artist and Printer Collaborations, organized by the Albuquerque Museum, on view at the Albuquerque Museum February 19 – May 15, 2022.

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The Final Edition is a playful and satirical commentary on the business side of running a print shop, which more often than not proves to be strenuous. The seated skeletal figure wearing a tie made of a one hundred dollar bill, sits reading a paper that celebrates Hand Graphics’s 24th anniversary with headlines about exorbitant rents and the transfer of ownership from Ron Adams to Michael Costello. The print was made the year that Hand Graphics moved from the location in downtown Santa Fe to the current shop, which Kriegsten jokingly asserted would be a devastating move for the business. On the tombstone-like background is a list of artists that have worked at Hand Graphics over the years. Though the print was made in jest, it unveils some level of truth about the difficulties of making a living as a printer.