A collection of books in artist Rashid Johnson’s studio (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 03.25.11). Production still from New York Close Up. © Art21, Inc. 2011. Cinematography by Andrew David Watson.
The Art21 Book Club, a new initiative of the Art21 Magazine, invites avid readers to participate in semi-intimate conversations about fiction and nonfiction books relevant to themes of the Art21 Magazine or ideas tackled by our contributing writers. The Art21 Book Club is an offline space for dialogue that encourages laughter, discussion, and debate over beer, snacks, and a good book.
The first gathering of the Art21 Book Club will take place at CUE Art Foundation (137 West 25th Street, NYC) on Thursday, April 17, 7–8:30pm. We will discuss Lewis Hyde’s classic text The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World. First published in 1979, it has been called “a brilliantly orchestrated defense of the value of creativity and of its importance in a culture increasingly governed by money and overrun with commodities.” The Gift was chosen for its resonance with the April/May issue of the Art21 Magazine, with its focus on value.
Brooklyn-based artist Heather Hart, whose participatory installations are models for exchange and generosity, will lead the discussion. Hart’s work has been featured in a variety of publications and art spaces worldwide, including the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park, Socrates Sculpture Park, and the Brooklyn Museum. In addition to the book club discussion, Hart will facilitate a post-discussion book swap as part of her Trading Post series. Participants are encouraged to bring books to trade.
Space is limited to 25 people. To RSVP, email magazine [at] art21 [dot] org.
This program is part of a new collaboration between Art21 and CUE Art Foundation. More information to come this spring.