Art Metropole

#08430

APPROX. DCLXVI

Artist

Andrew McLaren

Date

2008

Publisher

self published

Format

Artists' Books

Details

Hardcover, Wire Bound

ISBN

978-0-9686647-5-9

Size

22.9 × 27 × 2.5 cm

Length

0 

APPROX. DCLXVI examines the number DCLXVI (666). Widely recognized for its inherent evil — and geometric and factorial properties — 666 is a common symbol of demonized figures in contemporary and historical mythologies. The literary dimensions of this peculiar cultural fetish are explored in APPROX. DCLXVI through a series of 666 anagrams, each anagram employing verse 13:18 from the Book of Revelations, “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is Six Hundred, Three Score and Six.” Several anagrams are accompanied with illustrations. McLaren elaborates on the potential implications of this diabolical fixture (based on the figure of the Baphomet), and proposes a new discursive practise — Baphomethodology — in tandem with its related numerological counterpart, Baphomathematics. Further developments of the “beastly” number are explored, notably the relationship between the numbers 666 and 1776, the latter marking the date of Adam Weishaupt’s founding of the Bavarian Dilettanti. Artist book, hardcover, wire bound, b/w and colour. This deluxe bookwork includes fold-outs, laminates, special endpages, holy remnants and more. Wire bound with a gold leatherette cover. Limited edition of approximately 100.