"Notes on Glaze: 18 Photographic Investigations" by Wayne Koestenbaum

ISBN: 978-1-932698-58-9 Cabinet Books

"Notes on Glaze: 18 Photographic Investigations" by Wayne Koestenbaum

I'm a fan of Wayne Kostenbaum's writing - especially when it is something like "Notes on Glaze."  The very interesting journal and publisher, Cabinet Books, had Koestenbaum do a regular column where they send him anonymous photographs and in turn, he would comment on them, or more in detail, he uses the series of images as a foundation to reflect ideas, culture, and a bit of memoir writing as well.   Not knowing their source or who took these photos, gives Koestenbaum the license to write short essays/commentaries on each image, and in a fashion, the photographs serve as an entrance way into the author's mind. 

While reading this book, I felt compelled to do my own version of "Notes on Glaze," using the same images.  Mine would be totally different from Koestenbaum, which strikes me as something profound.  What we are getting is not information about these 'abandoned' photos, but the process and results of Koestenbaum's thinking pattern and he develops these ideas to make commentary or narratives out of them.   So in a way, "Notes on Glaze" is a writer's notebook.   I think anyone who writes, would benefit from this book.  Not genius like, for instance Joe Barnaird's "I Remember," but still an important process and tool.  So along the lines of Brainard and Raymond Queneau's "Exercise in Style", this is very much a remarkable book. 

"On&by Christian Marclay" edited by Jean-Pierre Criqui (MIT Press)

"On&by Christian Marclay" edited by Jean-Pierre Criqui (MIT Press)

There are certain type of artists that I'm drawn to, and it's usually the one's that I share an interest with - for instance music.  Or to be more specific, the beauty of vinyl and its album cover.   When I go to a record store, it is not only to please the ear, but also the sight.  I love a well-designed or creative looking album cover.  To me, that is the perfect medium for art.  I suspect that Christian Marclay would feel the same way - or, at least he used to.  I discovered Marclay's work through his albums "More Encores" and "Record Without a Cover."  His work is conceptual as well as being a sculpture of sorts.  "Record Without a Cover" strikes me as a masterpiece to any true lover of vinyl.  It was sold as an album, but had no cover or anything to protect it from the elements, such as dirt, fingerprints and scratches.  In other words, each album was a unique and one-of-a-kind listening experience.  How would it be possible for me not to love this album, and therefore, the artist? 

"On&by Christian Marclay" is a book length study on his work with vinyl, recordings, film, sculptures and photography.   Editor Jean-Pierre Criqui has put together a fantastic collection of essays by superb writers such as Dennis Cooper, David Toop, Michael Snow, Rosalind Krauss, Wayne Koestenbaum and others.   The high quality of writing talent focusing on one writer can be the sole reason for getting this book - but also the first half is a series of interviews with Marclay by various writers as well.  In detail, one obtains a lot of information on Marclay's work methods as well as placement in 20th century art and all the byproduct of that world - specifically music and music making.  The book takes the reader to all his major works - including the über-popular film/video project "The Clock."  The film lasts 24 hours, and uses real time as you watch scenes from films that use a clock or mention time within the scene.  

Marclay is a wonder to me, because he plays as he works - and his work, on the surface, seems simple, but is actually quite complexed,  due to his skill and taking chances, but also the audience's or viewers love for vinyl and their own awareness of time and now it passes.  If I have to be a fuss-butt, I would say that this book needs examples of Marclay's art -there are no illustrations whatsoever.  Still, this book is essential, and Marclay is truly a great artist. 

ISBN: 978-0-262-52661-6 MIT Press

"Humiliation" by Wayne Koestenbaum

ISBN: 978-0-312-42922-5 A Picador Paperback Original

“Humiliation” by Wayne Koestenbaum (A Picador Paperback)

 I don’t have many, but the few humiliations that I went through in my life I have totally erased them, except I do remember, but it’s so deep into my consciousness, it’s like a ghost thought.  On the other hand, Wayne Koestenbaum faces up to his humiliations as well as pointing out other artists and public figures who experienced the terribleness of being exposed to the most fearful humiliation possible.  I’m a fan of Koestenbaum’s writing, which is everywhere on the map of literature.  His shot Penguin biography on Andy Warhol, is one of the best books on that subject matter, and I also enjoyed his essays focusing on the 1980s.   “Humiliation” maybe his best book, because it is something that we all can share with - that feeling or point of time, when the unmentionable happens and how we deal with it. 

WIth the subject matter of Humiliation, Koestenbaum finds the perfect personalities to accompany that pain. Michael Jackson (great take on him), Jean Genet, Liza Minnelli, Alec Baldwin, and of course, himself.  As I read this book, I feel a tinge of pain.  That, comes with the territory.  Superb book. 

- Tosh Berman