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‘We Can Make Another Future’
Sep 2014 - Sep 2015

Works by Yasumasa Morimura, Masami Teraoka and Takashi Murakami installed for ‘We Can Make Another Future’ at GOMA, December 2014 / © The artists / Photograph: M Sherwood, QAGOMA

‘We Can Make Another Future: Japanese Art After 1989’ surveys the art of Heisei, the current era in the Japanese imperial calendar, through 100 works by over 40 contemporary Japanese artists.

Increasingly cosmopolitan in character and operating with an unprecedented level of international mobility, the art of this period offers a sophisticated reflection on the social conditions behind art’s production in Japan.

Beginning in 1989, Heisei has seen significant challenges for Japan, but it has also been the period of ‘Cool Japan’, with widespread international interest in Japan’s contemporary cultural production. As well as 25 years of Heisei, this also marks 25 years of the Gallery’s public engagement with the contemporary art of Japan.

 

‘We Can Make Another Future’ profiles several overlapping themes for this fascinating period in Japanese art. The exhibition explores the emergence of the digital sublime; responses to the rich field of consumer culture and new technologies of representation and communication; and critiques of national and sexual identity through figuration and performance.

‘We Can Make Another Future: Japanese Art After 1989’ was on display in GOMA’s Gallery 3.1 and 3.2 from 6 September 2014 to 20 September 2015. The exhibition catalogue is available at the QAGOMA Store.


Feature image: Works by (l–r) Yasumasa Morimura, Masami Teraoka (© The artists) and Takashi Murakami (© Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki) installed for ‘We Can Make Another Future’, GOMA, December 2014 / Collection: QAGOMA / Photograph: M Sherwood, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘We Can Make Another Future’

Artwork 69YK this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph mounted on aluminium, created in 2009-01-01

69YK 2009
Artwork Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old this artwork made of RP Direct print on Fuji Crystal paper, created in 2010-01-01

Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old 2010
Artwork Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old this artwork made of RP Direct print on Fuji Crystal paper, created in 2010-01-01

Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old 2010
Artwork Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old this artwork made of RP Direct print on Fuji Crystal paper, created in 2010-01-01

Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old 2010
Artwork Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old this artwork made of RP Direct print on Fuji Crystal paper, created in 2010-01-01

Koki no shashin: Photographs of a seventy-year-old 2010
Artwork Passage (series) this artwork made of Chromogenic print on paper, created in 2011-01-01

Passage (series) 2011
Artwork 30 no news this artwork made of Commercially printed cardboard, created in 1994-01-01

30 no news 1994
Artwork A ceremonial robe of a court lady (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

A ceremonial robe of a court lady (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Blue jeans (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Blue jeans (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Dull Masanobu's (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Dull Masanobu's (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Flat Masanobu's (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Flat Masanobu's (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Golden night (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Golden night (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Hokusai I, 69 (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Hokusai I, 69 (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Hokusai II, pose for Ukiyo-e by Hokusai (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Hokusai II, pose for Ukiyo-e by Hokusai (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Hokusai III, arabesque (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Hokusai III, arabesque (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Mt Fuji! Harunobu (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Mt Fuji! Harunobu (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Oh! No! Harunobu (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Oh! No! Harunobu (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Purple night (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Purple night (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork Unknown artist (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Unknown artist (from 'An anthology of shunga' portfolio) 1997
Artwork KI-AI 100 this artwork made of Single-channel video: 10:30 minutes, sound, colour, created in 2011-01-01

KI-AI 100 2011
Artwork Performance: AIUEONN Six Features this artwork made of Videotape: 8 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 1994-01-01

Performance: AIUEONN Six Features 1994
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Reflection Model (Perfect Bliss) 2010-12
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

White discharge (Built-up objects #24) 2013
Artwork Untitled - (In)different this artwork made of Marble, created in 1994-01-01

Untitled - (In)different 1994
Artwork Eating grass this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, pencil on linen on wood panel, created in 2011-01-01

Eating grass 2011
Artwork I am a rock this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, masking tape on linen on plywood, created in 2012-01-01

I am a rock 2012
Artwork Nonhuman crossing this artwork made of Woodcut, sumi ink on Japanese paper on wood panel, created in 2013-01-01

Nonhuman crossing 2013
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Double projection #1 (Where the Silence Fails) 2013
Artwork High heel of salmon and flatfish this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1987-01-01

High heel of salmon and flatfish 1987
Artwork Self portrait #3 this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Self portrait #3 1989
Artwork Pumpkin this artwork made of Colour screenprint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

Pumpkin 1992
Artwork Infinity nets this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2000-01-01

Infinity nets 2000
Artwork Soul under the moon this artwork made of Mirrors, ultra violet lights, water, plastic, nylon thread, timber, synthetic polymer paint, created in 2002-01-01

Soul under the moon 2002
Artwork The obliteration room this artwork made of Furniture, white paint, dot stickers, created in 2002-01-01

The obliteration room 2002-present
Artwork Flowers that bloom at midnight this artwork made of Fibreglass-reinforced plastic, urethane paint, metal frame, created in 2011-01-01

Flowers that bloom at midnight 2011
Artwork With Winds this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1990-01-01

With Winds 1990
Artwork Kikochi (A port of call) no. 4 this artwork made of Lithograph on Sanders paper, created in 1991-01-01

Kikochi (A port of call) no. 4 1991
Artwork In Milano 1 this artwork made of Lithograph with drypoint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

In Milano 1 1992
Artwork In Milano 2 this artwork made of Lithograph with drypoint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

In Milano 2 1992
Artwork In Milano 3 this artwork made of Lithograph with drypoint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

In Milano 3 1992
Artwork In Milano 4 this artwork made of Lithograph with drypoint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

In Milano 4 1992
Artwork In Milano 5 this artwork made of Lithograph with drypoint on paper, created in 1992-01-01

In Milano 5 1992
Artwork Correspondance this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 2001-01-01

Correspondance 2001
Artwork Stopped on the way #2 this artwork made of Etching on Japanese paper, created in 2001-01-01

Stopped on the way #2 2001
Artwork Relatum this artwork made of Iron plates, stones, created in 2002-01-01

Relatum 2002
Artwork Time landscape this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and pencil on 19th century Korean scroll, created in 1993-01-01

Time landscape 1993
Artwork Doublonnage (Marcel) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper bonded to aluminium, created in 1988-01-01

Doublonnage (Marcel) 1988
Artwork Blinded by the light this artwork made of Type C photograph with surface varnish on paper on plywood in gold frame, created in 1991-01-01

Blinded by the light 1991
Artwork Shinjuku (from 'filmograph 6' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2003-01-01

Shinjuku (from 'filmograph 6' series) 2003, printed 2014
Artwork Shinjuku this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2004-01-01

Shinjuku 2004, printed 2014
Artwork Hawaii 10 (from 'Hawaii' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Hawaii 10 (from 'Hawaii' series) 2007
Artwork Hawaii 18 (from 'Hawaii' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Hawaii 18 (from 'Hawaii' series) 2007, printed 2014
Artwork Hawaii 6 (from 'Hawaii' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Hawaii 6 (from 'Hawaii' series) 2007, printed 2014
Artwork And then, and then and then and then and then this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1994-01-01

And then, and then and then and then and then 1994
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

DOB Wall Painting Plan 1996
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Project KO2 1998
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

A Master Mushroom with DOB in the Strange Forest (from 'Takashi Murakami Prints: "My First Art" series') 1999
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Into the Dream (Jumbo Corn Head Mushroom) (from 'Takashi Murakami Prints: "My First Art" series') 1999
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Machikado-kun (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Machikado-kun / Heaven (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Machikado-kun / Heaven (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rumble-kun in a jar (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rumble-kun in a jar / Opera Pink (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rumble-kun in a jar / Opera Pink (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miss Ko2 / Basic (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miss Ko2 / Pink / Opera Pink (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miss Ko2 / Pink / Opera Pink (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. DOB & Mushrooms / White (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. DOB & Mushrooms / White (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. DOB & Mushrooms / Indigo (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. Oval and the Mediator / Black (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. Oval and the Mediator / Black (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Melting DOB / Shine (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Melting DOB / Devil (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Melting DOB / Devil (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Melting DOB / Positive (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mr. DOB & Mushrooms / Light Blue (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mushrooms / Revolutions (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mushrooms / Revolutions (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Inochi (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Inochi (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Display box for 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Display box for 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum'

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kaikai Kiki & Flower / Pink (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kaikai Kiki & Flower / Brown (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kaikai Kiki & Flower / Brown (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kaikai Kiki & Flower / Moss (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

HIROPON / Peach (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

HIROPON / Peach (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

HIROPON / Blue (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mushrooms (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Flower Ball / Gold (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Flower Ball / Silver (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Masamune & Spica (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

artelligent city / Masamune & Spica (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shacho (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

artelligent city / Shacho (from 'Takashi Murakami mini Museum' set)

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

S.M.PKO2 [Second Mission Project KO2] 1999
Artwork namenlos/Licht this artwork made of Colour pencil on paper, created in 1998-01-01

namenlos/Licht 1998
Artwork pillow for the dead this artwork made of Silk organza, thread, air on medium density fibreboard painted pedestal with perspex cover, created in 1998-01-01

pillow for the dead 1998
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Girl on a boat 1996
Artwork PixCell-Double Deer#4 this artwork made of Mixed media, created in 2010-01-01

PixCell-Double Deer#4 2010
Artwork Memorial Project Nha Trang, Vietnam, towards the complex - for the courageous, the curious, and the cowards this artwork made of DVD: 13 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 2001-01-01

Memorial Project Nha Trang, Vietnam, towards the complex - for the courageous, the curious, and the cowards 2001
Artwork Chapsui/Baguio, The Philippines (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2001-01-01

Chapsui/Baguio, The Philippines (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2001
Artwork Korean style vegetable hotpot/Seoul (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2001-01-01

Korean style vegetable hotpot/Seoul (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2001
Artwork Giblets hotpot/Fukuoka (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2002-01-01

Giblets hotpot/Fukuoka (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2002
Artwork Salmon hotpot/Tokyo (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2002-01-01

Salmon hotpot/Tokyo (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2002
Artwork Seafood hotpot/Beijing (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2002-01-01

Seafood hotpot/Beijing (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2002
Artwork Chicken and spinach risotto/Brisbane, Australia (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2005-01-01

Chicken and spinach risotto/Brisbane, Australia (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2005
Artwork Vegetable vindaloo/Brisbane, Australia (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 2005-01-01

Vegetable vindaloo/Brisbane, Australia (from 'Vegetable weapon' series) 2005
Artwork Soy sauce print: Altamira Cave + Marcel Duchamp (from 'Soy sauce print' series) this artwork made of Screenprint (printed with soy sauce) on paper, created in 2006-01-01

Soy sauce print: Altamira Cave + Marcel Duchamp (from 'Soy sauce print' series) 2006
Artwork Breath-graph no. 21 this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Breath-graph no. 21 1988, printed 1991
Artwork O this artwork made of Multi-channel video installation: 3-channel video projection exhibited from hard drive, HD video, 16:9, colour and black and white, 5-channel sound, 8:00 minutes; 10 channel video installation exhibited on customised LCD monitors, HD video transferred to DVD, 16:9, black and white, silent, 00:60 seconds; 5- channel sound by Organ Octet (edited by Dale Berning) exhibited on customised spinning speakers; customised metal light frames and light-bulb fixtures, created in 2009-01-01

O 2009
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Onogami village, Gunma 1994
Artwork Fluxus balance (portfolio) this artwork made of Offset printed material including a diagram, packs of cards and a fluxatlas, with a bag of weights and string, created in 1993-01-01

Fluxus balance (portfolio) 1993
Artwork An incidental story on the day of a solar eclipse #1, #2, #3 this artwork made of Offset lithograph on transparent paper on backing sheet, created in 1995-01-01

An incidental story on the day of a solar eclipse #1, #2, #3 1995
Artwork Assorted spices for dinner & daydreams this artwork made of Lidded wooden box containing glass bottle with capsules in straw packing, created in 1995-01-01

Assorted spices for dinner & daydreams 1995
Artwork Saint James, New Zealand this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1991-01-01

Saint James, New Zealand 1991
Artwork Los Altos Drive-In (Lakewood) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1993-01-01

Los Altos Drive-In (Lakewood) 1993
Artwork Hall of Thirty-Three Bays (nos 1-24) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1995-01-01

Hall of Thirty-Three Bays (nos 1-24) 1995
Artwork Baby Insa-dong this artwork made of Chromogenic prints mounted on acrylic, single-channel video [provided as DV and mp4 files]: 2:45 minutes, colour, sound, 7" LCD monitor, created in 2004-01-01

Baby Insa-dong 2004, printed 2014
Artwork AIDS Series/Geisha in Bath this artwork made of Watercolour on canvas, created in 1988-01-01

AIDS Series/Geisha in Bath 1988
Artwork AIDS Series/Geisha and Ghost Cat this artwork made of Aquatint and sugar-lift etching, with spit bite and direct gravure on Shimane Sekishu 100% kozo paper, created in 1989-01-01

AIDS Series/Geisha and Ghost Cat 1989/2002
Artwork Sarah and Octopus/Seventh Heaven this artwork made of 29 colour woodblock on Hosho paper, created in 2001-01-01

Sarah and Octopus/Seventh Heaven 2001
Artwork Notice - Forest this artwork made of Paper and glue, created in 2006-01-01

Notice - Forest 2006
Artwork Woods III this artwork made of Wood, ashes and synthetic polymer paint, created in 1991-01-01

Woods III 1991-92
Artwork Landscape in silence this artwork made of Ash, steel, glass and tree roots, created in 1996-01-01

Landscape in silence 1996
Artwork Moon this artwork made of Wood (Oak, Maku, Japanese Cedar and Japanese Pine), created in 1996-01-01

Moon 1996
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Hinomaru (Rising sun) (portfolio) 1991
Artwork Protoplasm #0926 this artwork made of Ink wash on paper, created in 1992-01-01

Protoplasm #0926 1992
Artwork Protoplasm #0935 this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint on paper, created in 1993-01-01

Protoplasm #0935 1993
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Y.N.G.M.S. (Y.N.G.'s Mobile Studio) 2009
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Baseball Ground - Formerly a Kamikaze base until the end of the Second World War, Chiran 2000
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Path - Path to the cliff where Japanese committed suicide after the American landings, Saipan 2003
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Railway Track - Overlooking the location where the Japanese army fabricated a bombing to create a reason to invade Manchuria, Shenyang, China 2007
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

1-5 1988