Bonauro, Tom

***The first non-audio project from Vague Absolutes is a small book of polaroids by TOM BONAURO. Long before earning commercial and critical accolades for his work with Emigre magazine, Levi’s, Gus Van Sant, and Todd Oldham, Bay Area graphic designer Tom Bonauro could be observed in the night clubs of California’s new wave and fledgling punk scenes during the late 1970s and earliest part of the 1980s, clubs such as San Francisco’s Fab Mab, and the Masque in Los Angeles. Apart from mere spectatorial roles, Tom contributed his avant-garde eye for design to layout spreads and adverts for underground periodicals of the day, like Boulevards and Another Room, and album artwork for visionary local bands like Minimal Man and The Hoovers. This small book compiles 27 polaroids captured by the artist during that wonderfully-seedy era of West Coast decadence and audacious self-expression. First edition of 150 copies 56 pages, uncoated paper stock, and matte laminated cover Printed by Brown Printing in Portland, Oregon.