We’re pleased to announce the release of a new Printed Matter publication, The History of Lubrication by Gabriel Pericàs. Join us for a book launch this Wednesday, November 1, 6–8 PM, at our Chelsea location.

With The History of Lubrication, artist Gabriel Pericàs proposes a modest cultural history of human saliva, building on its physical behavior to chart its many uses, functions and associations. Written as a transcript of an imaginary radio program hosted by the artist, the project plays on tropes of the episodic podcast genre and academic publishing, considering saliva as it is conveyed through its formless, miraculous properties — as adhesive, as lubricant, as a carrier of disease, and a manifestation of desire. Across twelve chapters, the project weaves together references from popular culture, art history, science, critical theory, and film to examine our relationship with spit and spitting. The book concludes with a “Figures” section of referenced images, as well as an extensive Index of terms.

At Wednesday’s event, Pericàs will share a few words about the project alongside projections of spit-related media. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at a discounted price.

Purchase a copy of The History of Lubrication

Published in an edition of 800 copies, 4.3 x 7 in, 272 pages, paperback, swiss binding with cover flaps.

Editing by Erin Sheehy.

Artist Bio
Gabriel Pericàs (Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 1988) is an artist and publisher currently living in New York. Through sculpture, installation, performance, and text, his practice investigates the social life of forms, materials, and substances. He is the author of artists’ books The History of Lubrication (Printed Matter, Inc., New York, 2023), Puff! (Biel Books, New York, 2015), and Madera Curvada / Bentwood (Fabra i Coats, Barcelona, 2012). Since 2013, he has run Biel Books, a small-scale publishing house for artists’ books.

Support
Published as part of Printed Matter’s Emerging Artists Publication Series. This publication is made possible with the support of the Jerome Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, as well as the New York State Council on the Arts.