Well, I totally disagree with your assertion that you're not writing about anything particularly interesting. I found this really interesting. Now I'm curious about the trends in cover art across the world, like comparative literature for book covers, and what it might say about the differences and similarities between countries, also across time. I'm also curious about the genesis of book covers needing to fit with each other on the bookshelf. Was that just an artistic inclination or did someone do research and find that book buyers spend more time perusing a shelf whose covers were in harmony vs clashing? I'm guessing the former but you never know. I had a friend who worked in design, not artistic design but (I forget what it's called) design based on how people use/interact with products, campaigns, environs, whatever, and would do research for different companies/industries. And yeah, that's interesting stuff. It runs the gamut re:ethics but quite interesting anyway. I enjoyed this essay very much (as always) and hope you get the cover you want some day!
I have worked in the arts for over 40 years, as an artist and as a technician in several museums and galleries, the art melieu is my world and my bread and butter. (Currently I am an art handler at the Whitney Museum of American Art) I have read much about art, critiques and histories, reviews, and essays and I have to say, your writing about art is continually one of the most insightful and observant of any. Thank you, so glad I signed up.
Well, I totally disagree with your assertion that you're not writing about anything particularly interesting. I found this really interesting. Now I'm curious about the trends in cover art across the world, like comparative literature for book covers, and what it might say about the differences and similarities between countries, also across time. I'm also curious about the genesis of book covers needing to fit with each other on the bookshelf. Was that just an artistic inclination or did someone do research and find that book buyers spend more time perusing a shelf whose covers were in harmony vs clashing? I'm guessing the former but you never know. I had a friend who worked in design, not artistic design but (I forget what it's called) design based on how people use/interact with products, campaigns, environs, whatever, and would do research for different companies/industries. And yeah, that's interesting stuff. It runs the gamut re:ethics but quite interesting anyway. I enjoyed this essay very much (as always) and hope you get the cover you want some day!
Gorgeously written and cuttingly insightful as always--thank you so much for sharing these letters with us
Thanks for reading! Glad you enjoyed!
I have worked in the arts for over 40 years, as an artist and as a technician in several museums and galleries, the art melieu is my world and my bread and butter. (Currently I am an art handler at the Whitney Museum of American Art) I have read much about art, critiques and histories, reviews, and essays and I have to say, your writing about art is continually one of the most insightful and observant of any. Thank you, so glad I signed up.