Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Rodney Graham. It dates from 1991 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The bookmark, inserted between pages 56 and 57, features a stark black silhouette of a figure in mid-motion, armed and labeled with 'James Bond' and 'Dr.
Created in 1991 by Canadian artist Rodney Graham, this work repurposes a mass-market paperback of Ian Fleming’s *Dr. No* as a support for a custom bookmark. The bookmark, inserted between pages 56 and 57, features a stark black silhouette of a figure in mid-motion, armed and labeled with 'James Bond' and 'Dr. No.' The book is not merely a container but an integral component of the piece, transforming a mundane object into a conceptual artifact.
Subject & Meaning
The silhouette evokes the cinematic archetype of James Bond, reducing his identity to a single, action-oriented pose. By isolating this image within a novel, Graham interrogates the mechanical reproduction of cultural icons. The bookmark—typically a tool for pausing narrative—becomes a frozen moment in a story, questioning how fiction is consumed, remembered, and commodified through everyday objects.
Technique & Style
The bookmark employs a minimalist graphic style: a clean, high-contrast black silhouette on a neutral ground, resembling a die-cut stencil. The typography is utilitarian, with bold lettering for 'James Bond' and smaller, subordinate text for 'Dr. No.' The visual language borrows from commercial printing and pulp fiction aesthetics, yet its placement within a literary text subverts its original function, introducing ambiguity between art and artifact.
History & Provenance
The work originates from Graham’s broader practice of recontextualizing found media, including books, films, and music. It was produced in 1991, during a period when he increasingly explored the intersection of popular culture and artistic authorship. The specific edition—a 1988 Coronet paperback—was chosen for its accessibility and ubiquity, reinforcing the work’s engagement with mass-produced culture rather than rare or precious materials.
Context
Graham was part of the Vancouver School, a group known for using photography, text, and found objects to examine perception and representation. This piece aligns with his interest in how cultural narratives are embedded in everyday items. By embedding a Bond icon into a spy novel, Graham mirrors the way media tropes become ingrained in public consciousness, blurring the line between reader, object, and image.
Legacy
The work exemplifies Graham’s enduring exploration of narrative suspension and cultural repetition. It has been included in major institutional collections, contributing to discussions on the dematerialization of art and the role of the book as an artistic medium. Its quiet, unassuming form invites prolonged contemplation, encouraging viewers to reconsider the hidden layers within ordinary cultural artifacts.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Rodney Graham (January 16, 1949 – October 22, 2022) was a Canadian visual artist and musician. He was closely associated with the Vancouver School.
