The Greatest Hits of Cirrus Editions: Remembering Jean Milant

In 1968 Jean Milant was accepted into the Tamarind Master Printer Program in Hollywood. At the time, the program was responding to the students request to work with contemporary California artists. The neighborhood was ripe with creativity with Ed Ruscha and Joe Goode’s studios down the street. Milant printed Ed Ruscha’s iconic Standard Stations. He also collaborated with artists Ken Price and Billy Al Bengston among others.

In 1970 Milant completed the program and founded Cirrus Editions– “a new California atelier of prints”. Located on 708 Manhattan Place in Hollywood, Cirrus became known as a workshop respected for its groundbreaking work with lithography and silkscreen, putting a spotlight on California based artists. In the 1970s, Jean was the first California publisher to exhibit at Art Basel, bringing California artists to the world stage. Through the years Cirrus worked with now legendary artists such as John Baldessari, Chris Burden, Vija Celmins, Guy de Cointet, Ed Moses, Bruce Nauman, Ed Ruscha, Judy Chicago, Mark Bradford, Mary Weatherford, and Jonas Wood.

In 1979 Cirrus moved to Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles where it remained for 35 years. The gallery moved to its current location on South Santa Fe Avenue in 2015. Jean had an incredible eye for art that he continued to develop over his life. He once commented that when he began Cirrus there was not a market for contemporary art. Through his life he actively participated in the evolution of the industry. Jean Milant passed away peacefully at his home this winter at the age of 81.