Artist’s Project: Suzanne Bocanegra

By Suzanne Bocanegra

31 artists are invited to reimagine recipe cards as miniature in-home performances.

Subscriber Invitational 3: Dreams

Edited by Mike Powell; artwork by Daniel Gordon

We asked subscribers to supply dreams as source material for the tracks on this issue’s CD.

Esopus CD #12: Black and White

Nina Nastasia, Sam Amidon, dj/rupture, and 8 others create songs based on black-and-white films

Esopus Invitational: What Would You Like to See on Television?

We posed the question to 25 writers, filmmakers, artists, and critics, from Louis Menand to Liam Gillick.

Editor's Note

By Tod Lippy

Introducing our largest issue, devoted to personal and institutional archives

Esopus 21 Audio Comp: Trans-African Mix

Introduction by Emeka Okereke

A “mixtape” by the founder of Invisible Borders

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

Introducing our first themed issue, devoted to the creative process

Artist’s Project: Jared Flood

By Jared Flood

For “Esprit de Corpse,” multiple artists worked individually to knit a single garment.

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

Exploring the intersections between medicine and creativity

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

Introducing an issue printed with only black ink.

Esopus CD #6: Help Wanted

Grizzly Bear, Devendra Banhart, Marissa Nadler, and 7 other musical acts create brand-new songs based on job listings.

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

Introducing a special issue containing 12 brand-new artist’s projects

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

A pure mountain creek serves as inspiration for a new arts publication.

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

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In Memoriam

By Al Sutherland; recovered by Donald Traver

A found collection of epitaphs composed by monument builder Al Sutherland

Editor’s Note

Exploring, and breaching, boundaries

Editor’s Note

By Tod Lippy

An oblique introduction to our 25th issue.

Artist’s Project: Roxy Paine

By Roxy Paine

Sixteen drawings by the acclaimed artist explore dendritic systems (with removable poster)

Subscriber Invitational 1: Imaginary Friends

Illustrations by Yvetta Federova

For our first invitational, we asked subscribers to describe their childhood imaginary friends.

Editor's Note

By Tod Lippy

Introducing a new format and a number of other changes

Artist’s Project: Fernando Santangelo

By Fernando Santangelo

In “Egypt,” a picture story told with Tarot-like images, two children embark upon an Egyptian adventure.

Subscriber Invitational 5: Irrational Fears

We invited readers to share their darkest, most disturbing phobias, and musicians turned them into songs.

Subscriber Invitational 7: Picturing Illness

Biomedical visualization students depict subscribers’ subjective descriptions of recent ailments.

Subscriber Invitational 6: The Perfect Waiting Room

Drawings by Thomas Juncher Jensen

Readers’ recommendations inspire evocative renderings.

Esopus CD #18: Slonimsky’s Thesaurus

Musical patterns from an influential 1947 book inspire 10 new songs.

Artist’s Project: Erica Allen

By Erica Allen

Manipulated barbershop posters and discarded photographs create resonant portraits of masculinity.

Artist’s Project: Marco Maggi

By Marco Maggi

Drawing Set, 2017

Esopus CD #19: Customer Service

Jens Lekman, Richard Swift, and 10 others craft songs based on customer-service experiences.

Artist’s Project: Marcia Kure

By Marcia Kure

“Dressed Up”: A series of collages comparing hip-hop and Victorian sartorial cultures

Episode 124: The Makings of a Meltdown

Interview with Norman Lear by Claire Barliant

Documents relating to a seminal episode of “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”

100 Frames: Ode (1999)

Film by Kelly Reichardt; introduction by Amy Taubin

Riveting still images from a little-seen Super-8 film

Studio Visit: Randy S. Jones

Interview and photographs by David Naugle

Never-before-seen abstract paintings by an undiscovered artist

Esopus CD #3: Product Displacement

Sonic Boom, The Baptist Generals, El May, and 8 others embed advertising jingles and slogans in brand-new songs.

Esopus CD #17: Fear Itself

13 musicians, including Meursault, We Are Augustines, and Corey Dargel, created songs inspired by Esopus readers’ irrational fears.

Not It Anymore

Interview with Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King

An interview with Kudrow and King about their critically lauded HBO show The Comeback

Artist’s Project: Barbara Probst

By Barbara Probst

A series of photographs whose subjects occur in the same split-second of time

Notes on Everyday Africa

Essay by Emmanuel Iduma

An artists’ collective takes to the road in the name of art, culture, and pan-Africanism

Subscriber Invitational 8: Local News

Treatments by Hampton Fancher

A screenwriter crafts movie treatments based on subscribers’ submissions.

Artist’s Project: Judy Pfaff

By Judy Pfaff

This stunning, 6-foot-long double foldout utilizes hundreds of the artist’s photographs.

Xerox/Rock/Art

Interview with Carol McCranie and Javier Magri

Stephen Sprouse materials from the McCranie/Magri Archives

Artist’s Project: John O’Connor

By John O’Connor

The artist color-coded grids created by his landlord to predict winning lottery numbers.

Submission #790532

By Michael Arad

The story behind the 9/11 memorial as told by its designer

This is Neil Greenberg. Neil Draws Maps.

Maps by Neil Greenberg; interview by Fritz Swanson

A Detroit resident creates—and charts—entire cities from his imagination.

Artist’s Project: Jane and Louise Wilson

By Jane and Louise Wilson

Imperial Measure, 2017

Artist’s Project: Sharon Core

By Sharon Core

“1685–1891” (with removable insert)

Esopus CD #23: Close Calls

Musicians mine near-miss experiences for 13 new songs

My Dad Is Dating My Best Friend...and I Like It!

Script by Faith and Jill Soloway

The Transparent creators share a spec script they cowrote in 1991

Esopus CD #5: Audio-Visuals

Esopus invited musicians to write songs inspired by works of visual art; contributors included The Mountain Goats, Britta Phillips, and Jim White.

Self Burial: Television Interference Project, 1969

By Keith Arnatt

These images of the artist sinking into the ground were originally broadcast on German TV.

100 Frames: Breakaway (1966)

Film by Bruce Conner; poem by Doug Aitken

An ethereal sequence from what could be considered the first music video

Esopus CD #10: Good News

Positive thinking—and inspired songwriting—from Neko Case and A.C. Newman, Busdriver, Ryan Adams, Atlas Sound, and 8 others

Esopus CD #25: Jokes

Introduction by Demetri Martin

We commissioned 11 musicians to create songs inspired by a joke of their choice

Artist’s Project: Kerry James Marshall

By Kerry James Marshall

A comic strip whose subjects include theory, culture, history, and the “Black Metropolis”

Known By Sight

By Marvin Lazarus

Striking portraits—in words and images—of prominent artists by a nearly forgotten figure

William Carlos Williams: On Script

By William Carlos Williams

The late doctor and poet captured creative inspirations on the job.

Early Works: Kenneth Lonergan

Interview with Kenneth Lonergan

The playwright's youthful novels inaugurate a new series

Modern Artifacts 15: The Healing Arts

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials related to MoMA’s “Arts in Therapy” program for WW II vets

For Your Reconsideration: Jim Henson’s Youth ’68

By Jim Henson

Documents relating to a forgotten 1968 film by the Muppets creator

Artist’s Project: Bryan Nash Gill

By Bryan Nash Gill

Artifacts from the artist’s 2012 installation at Esopus Space

100 Frames: La Captive (2000)

Film by Chantal Akerman; introduction by Amy Taubin

A key sequence from the acclaimed Belgian filmmaker’s Proust adaptation

Analog Recovery 1: Bal d’Hiver

Photographs by Inge Morath

Images from a 1955 Paris charity ball; first in a series presented with the Magnum Foundation.

Critical Conversations

By Danielle Spencer and Stephanie Adler Yuan

A compelling range of perspectives on one cancer patient’s care

Artist’s Project: Paolo Arao

Flagettes, 2018

Flagettes, 2018

Artist’s Project: Alix Pearlstein

By Alix Pearlstein

Images related to a participatory performance project at Esopus Space

Artist’s Project: Jody Wood

By Jody Wood

Malleable Properties of Care, 2016

The End of the World as We Know It

By Jean Passanante

A soaps scribe discusses writing for daytime television—and offers excerpts from a “continuity book.”

Marwencol on My Mind

By Mark Hogancamp

After a brutal attack, an artist creates a fictional town in his backyard to stage a recovery.

Homemade: An Interview With The Wrens

Interview with Charles Bissell and Greg Whelan

Members of the band discusses the process of creating their album The Meadowlands.

Lonnie Holley: Improvisations

Song lyrics and artworks by Lonnie Holley

A sampling of artworks and song lyrics, published here for the first time, by the Atlanta–based artist and musician

Artist’s Project: Dara Birnbaum

By Dara Birnbaum

Stills from one channel of the 1990 video-installation Tiananmen Square: Break-In Transmission.

Ann Goldstein: Found in Translation

Interview by Tod Lippy

A glimpse into the creative process of an acclaimed translator

Artist's Project: Tina Barney

By Tina Barney

The acclaimed photographer mines a 1983 short film for this project

81 Cassettes

Interview with Janine St. Germain

Tape recordings from the Christopher Knowles Archives

Lost in Music

By George Cochrane

An artist explores the impact of music with a little help from his friends (and family)

The Lifer

Interview with Larry Auerbach

A veteran director remembers his 30 years working on soap operas.

100 Frames: Vendredi Soir (2002)

Film by Claire Denis; introduction by Ellen Kuras

Still frames from the French director’s 2002 film about a brief, intense Parisian romance

Artist’s Project: William Christenberry

By William Christenberry

The noted artist revisits a structure from his native Hale County, Alabama.

Artist’s Project: Leslie Wayne

By Leslie Wayne

"11 Ways to Start the Day," 2014

Esopus CD #9: Dreams

Guest edited by Mike Powell

Esopus asked musicians such as Dirty Projectors, Paavoharju, and Califone to use our readers’ dreams as source material for new songs.

Esopus CD #15: Television

Esopus asked Stephin Merritt, Cloud Nothings, Andrew Cedermark, and 7 others to create songs based on the TV show of their choice.

Circles of Friendship

Introduction by Elizabeth C. Denlinger

An exquisite object from the New York Public Library’s Pforzheimer Collection

Yesterday’s Mail

Mail art by Ray Johnson; interview with Robert Warner

A treasure trove of mail art sent by artist Ray Johnson to optician/artist Robert Warner

Esopus CD #14: Artists

Sharon Van Etten, Doveman, Big Troubles, and 10 other musical acts created new songs inspired by, and named after, visual artists.

Arthur Tress: Dreaming in Color

Introduction by James A. Ganz

A new perspective on an acclaimed body of work

Art for Art’s Sake: Sketchbook by Otto Mühl

From the Getty Research Institute

A transgressive figure finds inspiration in a surprising source

Metagame (Culture Edition)

Designed by Local No. 12

Playing this game requires cultural literacy, strategic thinking, and social negotiation skills.

100 Frames: Baran (2001)

Film by Majid Majidi; introduction by Hamid Dabashi

A resonant gesture, and sublime moment, from the celebrated Iranian film

Means Without End

By Sloane Crosley, Graham Leggat, Baldev Kaur, and John Melick

We asked four publicists to devise PR strategies for Esopus—but not to institute them.

Catholic Tastes

Interview with Marvin Sackner

Works by Dom Sylvester Houédard from the Sackner Collection

Modern Artifacts 13: Seitz Specific

Introduction by Michelle Harvey

Re-locating the work of Claude Monet

Artist’s Project: John Edmonds

By John Edmonds

Stunning photographs by the Brooklyn-based artist

Artist’s Project: Johan Grimonprez

By Johan Grimonprez

“Skyjacker’s Series”: a set of stills from the artist’s film dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y

Protest in Paradise: Teatro Povero di Monticchiello

Introduction and interview by Chris Shellen

The residents of a tiny Tuscan town bring new meaning to the term “community theater"

Clayton Patterson: Pyramid Portraits

By Clayton Patterson

Drag performers inspire a legendary documentarian

“Jondaje the Pheasant Hunter”

Artwork by Ellen Berkenblit; translated by Kenneth J. Yin

An artist interprets a newly translated folktale.

Artist’s Project: Thomas Nozkowski

By Thomas Nozkowski

“Near the Little Stony Kill,” 2014

Artist’s Project: Jason Polan

By Jason Polan

An artist draws over 100 of Esopus readers’ favorite things in New York City for our 4th Subscriber Invitational

Esopus CD #13: Nostradamus

The quatrains of 16th-century prophet Nostradamus inspired 11 new songs by the likes of Frightened Rabbit, Phil Kline, and Lia Ices.

Esopus CD #4: Imaginary Friends

Musical artists including Vetiver, Kimya Dawson, and Kate Pierson bring Esopus readers’ childhood imaginary friends to life.

Where To Go / What To Do / When In New York / Week of June 17, 1972

By Bern Porter

A facsimile edition of the underground legend’s 1974 artist’s book

100 Frames: Frederick Wiseman’s Hospital

Introduction by Paul Austin

The classic 1970 documentary portrays an NYC emergency room.

Guarded Opinions 5

By Casey Costa and Robert Canedy; edited by Paul VanDeCarr

Two museum guards comment on the works they oversee at MASS MoCA.

Haunted

By Christopher Wheeldon; photographs by David Michalek

An accomplished choreographer finds inspiration in Gyorgi Lygetti’s music.

50 Frames: Peter Hutton’s At Sea (2007)

Film by Peter Hutton; interview by Scott MacDonald

Stills from the acclaimed experimental filmmaker’s 2007 film

Public Access 2: Half-Explored Trails

Introduction by Isaac Gewirtz

Fascinating materials from the Vladimir Nabokov archive at the NYPL

Modern Artifacts 8: The Art of Broadcasting

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

This installment of the joint series with MoMA’s archives concerns MoMA’s relationship with TV.

Artist’s Project: Richard Tuttle

By Richard Tuttle

The result of an encounter with a found object provided by Esopus

Esopus CD #2: Missed Connections

Eleven musician-couples, including Chris Frantz & Tina Weymouth and Low, create songs inspired by Craig’s List “Missed Connections” ads.

Modern Artifacts 1

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

A selection of Alfred H. Barr, Jr.’s papers from MoMA’s archives

Artist’s Project: Kathe Burkhart

By Kathe Burkhart

A woman wrote love letters to the artist’s great aunt, and Burkhart replied—in her aunt’s voice.

Just Vitriol

Interview with Toby Mott

Thatcher-Era ephemera from The Mott Collection

Artist’s Project: Alex Bag

By Alex Bag

Two parodic commercial storyboards created for multinational companies

Singular Network

By Headlong Dance Theater

The Philadelphia troupe documents the creation of Cell, a participatory dance piece.

Doing Battle

By Alex Brown

A 13-year-old tackles the subject of war in a series of mesmerizing drawings.

Esopus CD #16: Composers

Composer Anthony Cheung curated a compilation of emerging and established composers.

Esopus CD #11: Advice

We urged 11 musical acts, including Shearwater, Wye Oak, and Lucky Dragons, to take some advice—and turn it into a song.

On the Value of Literature

By Karl Ove Knausgaard

Why books, sentences, words?

Found Object: Collective Struggles

Recovered by Steve Weyl

A letter discovered in 1975 in a hiding place beneath a cottage in Palo Alto, CA

100 Frames: World on a Wire (1973)

Film by Rainer Werner Fassbinder; introduction by James Lewis Hoberman

A series of stills from the recently restored two-part telefilm for German television

Hampton Fancher Reads William Carlos Williams

Live Reading

A doctor-poet’s thoughts about practicing both art and medicine

Artist’s Project: Sylvia Plimack Mangold

By Sylvia Plimack Mangold

An in-depth look into the creation of an etching and aquatint

100 Frames: Tropical Malady (2004)

Film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul; text by Dennis Lim

A sequence of contiguous frames from the award-winning Thai director’s 2004 feature film

Artist's Project: D. James Dee

By D. James Dee

An art photographer trains his expert eye on his own oeuvre.

Artist’s Project: Alyson Shotz

By Alyson Shotz; with Priyamvada Natarajan and Satyan L. Devadoss

For “Triple Infinity,” Shotz takes three different approaches to the subject of infinity.

Artist’s Project: Carlos Amorales

By Carlos Amorales

Score for Talking Ocarinas

Portfolio: Dwight Ripley’s “Travel Posters”

By Dwight Ripley; essay by Douglas Crase

Newly discovered colored-pencil drawings by the late artist, poet, and botanist.

Artist’s Project: Hayden Dunham

By Hayden Dunham

MELT D|D OWN, 2017

Relatively Indolent but Relentless

By Matt Freedman

An artist documents 35 days of cancer treatments.

Modern Artifacts 2: “Dear Miss Miller…”

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Correspondence between two legends: artist James Lee Byars and curator Dorothy Miller

The Faintest Ink

Interview with Matthew Weiner

Matthew Weiner's Notes for Mad Men, 2006–2013

Modern Artifacts 14: Imagining Possibilities

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Contents from the never-published second issue of a legendary journal

ARTIST’S PROJECT: HAYDEN DUNHAM

By Hayden Dunham

Esopus CD #7: Ouija

Ouija board experiences—spiritual or otherwise—lead to 13 new tracks by musicians ranging from El Perro Del Mar to The Rosebuds.

Obituary Birthday: Kurt Cobain’s Art of Suicide

By Pamela A. Ivinski

A meditation on the anguish and the poetry of the late singer-songwriter

Artist's Project: Barbara Bloom

By Barbara Bloom

A re-presentation of the artist's 2013 Jewish Museum exhibition

Analog Recovery 2: Home Studio

Photographs by Erich Hartmann

Never-before-seen early portraits from the Magnum photographer

100 Frames: Killer of Sheep (1977)

Film by Charles Burnett; introduction by Armond White

Stills from the director’s first feature, included in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry

Guarded Opinions 2

By Wendy Iraheta and Ruben Green; edited by Paul VanDeCarr

Hammer Museum guards offer critical perspectives on works by Moreau and Degas.

Alex Shear’s Object Lesson #1

By Alex Shear

A line-up of soda bottles that shamelessly echo the original 7-Up logo (removable poster)

The Art of Husbandry

By Don Bachardy

Portraits of the actresses from the 1974 film The Stepford Wives

Guarded Opinions 8

Commentary by Marianna Pombrik

A Brooklyn Museum guard talks about three artworks in the institution's collection.

100 Frames: Force Majeure

Essay by Alex Witchel

100 still images from the award-winning 2014 film by Swedish director Ruben Östlund

Guarded Opinions 6

By Greg Jones and Roman Alokhin

Two guards from the New Orleans Museum of Art comment on artworks at the museum.

A Thousand Words: Saint Anthony the Abbot Tempted by a Heap of Gold

Essay by Francine Prose, with a poem by Zbigniew Herbert

The acclaimed novelist and essayist reflects upon a 15th-century painting at the Met

Found Object: Stalag Journal

Introduction by John Limon

An American P.O.W.’s diary from World War II, discovered posthumously by his son

Tiny Book of Smokes

By David Greenberger

This trip down memory lane was guided only by cigarette burns.

The Architecture of Effect

By Clay Eicher

Are “superstars” like Frank Gehry actually practicing architecure? Does it matter?

Modern Artifacts 16: The Living Garden

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials from the MoMA Archives relating to its sculpture garden

Artist’s Project: Dawn Clements

By Dawn Clements

“I Put Marc’s Sculpture on the Kitchen Table” (foldout)

Thérèse Deprez: Production Designer

By Thérèse Deprez

An acclaimed production designer shares her scrapbook for Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam.

Modern Artifacts 3: Tentative and Confidential

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Documentation of a secret WW2–era MoMA project, referred to by insiders as “Exhibition X”

Artist's Project: Mark Dion

By Mark Dion

Curated images from the archives of the American Museum of Natural History

Doug McNamara’s Biodiversions

By Doug McNamara

This business analyst—and former biology teacher—combines science and fiction in his drawings.

Modern Artifacts 17: Modern Renaissance

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials related to 1940 MoMA blockbuster

Alex Shear’s Object Lesson #2

By Alex Shear

An assortment of gun-shaped objects (yes, that’s a hair dryer) on a 17” x 32” poster

Analog Recovery 3: Rosita's Pigeons

Photographs by Burt Glinn

Images from a lauded Magnum photographer's 1949 portfolio

Between the Lines

Interview with Rich Remsberg

Used coloring book pages from the collection of Rich Remsberg

Artist’s Project: Neil Goldberg

By Neil Goldberg

“Missing the Train” documents a frustrating experience common to every NYC straphanger.

Modern Artifacts 4: Drawing Comparisons

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Sketches by former MoMA director René d’Harnoncourt presented with the MoMA archives

Guarded Opinions 1

By Niko Fruechting; edited by Paul VanDeCarr

A museum guard’s unique take on a German minimalist’s painting at the Fogg Art Museum

Artist’s Project: Jenny Holzer

By Jenny Holzer

These recently declassified ”Memoranda,” selected by the artist, must see the light of day.

Let A Thousand Drawings Bloom

By John Canemaker

A collection of sketches for one frame of the Disney classic Fantasia

Victor and Judy

By Eva Vives

Photos of Raising Victor Vargas’s two leads by the film’s co-writer

Frank Rich: Writer

By Frank Rich

Notes for an op-ed column published in The New York Times in January 2005

Artist’s Project: Nina Katchadourian

By Nina Katchadourian

The Hospital, and other medical thrillers, 2015

Nothing Personal

By Heather McPherson

Seeking out Pfc. Jessica Lynch in the West Virginia countryside

Artist’s Project: Noriko Ambe

Nagisa – At the Edge of the Sea

An intricate paper sculpture for Esopus readers

Going Solo: Creating The Long Dark

Interview with Raphael van Lierop

An in-depth look at the influential survivalist video game

Found Object: All Thumbs

By Scott Daniel Ellison

Anonymous photographs of people who keep raccoons as pets

Esopus CD #1: Public Domain

Musical acts including Dean Wareham, Mark Eitzel, and Phosphorescent craft songs based on public domain material.

Modern Artifacts 12: From Body to Object

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials from MoMA related to Scott Burton's performances

Artist’s Project: Dulce Pinzón

By Dulce Pinzón

“The Real Story of the Superheroes” tells the inspiring tales of NYC immigrants.

Artist’s Project: Colter Jacobsen

By Colter Jacobsen

Eight “memory drawings” inspired by Esopus readers’ photographs

100 Frames: Blue Velvet

Film by David Lynch; introduction by Gregory Crewdson

A selection of stills from the 1986 film’s brilliant opening sequence

Artists’ Project: Oliver Herring and Peter Krashes

By Oliver Herring and Peter Krashes

A conversation between artworks created by two artists over the past several decades

Artist’s Project: Chris Doyle

By Chris Doyle

Drawings from the artist’s “Untitled House” series

Artist’s Project: Beth Campbell

By Beth Campbell

“My Potential Future Based on Present Circumstances (6/29/03)”

Heads and Shoulders

Introduction by Jessica Harris

Postcards from the collection of Jessica Harris

100 Frames: Cold Water (1994)

Film by Oliver Assayas; introduction by Stacy Cochran

100 frames from an early masterpiece by the director of Irma Vep and Carlos

100 Frames: I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone

Film by Tsai Ming-Liang; text by Claire Denis

Stills from the Taiwan-based director’s critically lauded 2006 film, introduction by Claire Denis

Samuel Varkovitzky: Survivor

By Samuel Varkovitzky

A portfolio of riveting sample drawings from a Holocaust survivor

Artist's Project: Anish Kapoor

By Anish Kapoor

A photographic series by the world-renowned artist

Artist Project: Alex Katz and Vincent Katz

By Alex Katz and Vincent Katz

“Autographs,” a collaboration between painter and poet, father and son

Artist’s Project: Tony Tasset

By Tony Tasset

Me and My Arrow, 2017

Angus Trumble’s 1685 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Fourth in a series)

Ten Rivers to Cross

By Edward McPherson

How well does Oscar winner Mystic River hold up to repeated viewings?

Tricks of the Trade

Recovered by Michael Rohatyn

This 1957 entertainer’s gag book was recovered from a Santa Monica yard sale.

Ernest B. Haight: Sewing and Reaping

Introduction by Jonathan Gregory

This Nebraska farmer had an unusual, and productive, pastime.

100 Frames: Beats of the Antonov

Introduction by Dylan Valley

Stills from hajooj kuka's acclaimed 2015 documentary

Modern Artifacts 9: One and the Same

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Documents detailing an important opening and radio broadcast by FDR from the MoMA archives.

Guarded Opinions 7

Commentary by Joseph Klimczak Jr. and Fantasia Turner

Two Barnes Foundation guards discuss artworks they oversee.

Modern Artifacts 11: Creating “Spaces”

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Material related to a groundbreaking 1969 exhibition

The Sissy Letters (#2)

By Stephen Adly Guirgis

Second in a continuing series of monologues written for Esopus

Esopus CD #8: Spam

The scourge of cyberspace serves as inspiration for 10 musical acts including Owen Pallett, Frida Hyvönen, and The Submarines.

Deconstructing Constructing

By David Quarfoot

A New York Times crossword creator details the process of composing a puzzle.

Artist’s Project: Allen Ruppersberg

By Allen Ruppersberg

“House of Cards” (10 removable inserts)

Artist’s Project: David Scher

By David Scher

“Into the Green,” a suite of drawings from spring 2003

Modern Artifacts 18: The Young Turks

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials from the MoMA Archives related to the Museum's vital Junior Council

A Short Film About Andy Warhol

Screenplay by Jim Lyons; introduction by Amy Taubin

One night in the life of the Pop artist as imagined by the late filmmaker

Light Unseen

By Jennifer Tipton

A distinguished lighting designer directs attention to an unacknowledged art form.

100 Frames: The Adventures of Prince Achmed

Introduction by John Canemaker

Stills from a landmark 1926 film

Seat of Comedy

By Mame McCutchin

An appreciation of the essential role played by the couch in the American sitcom.

John Conway: Mathematician

By John Conway

How to build a polyhedron, including tear-out templates

100 Frames: Tulpan (2008)

Film by Sergey Dvortsevoy; introduction by Jim Shepard

100 still images from the Moscow-based documentarian’s unforgettable feature debut

Esopus CD #20: Personal Effects

Wesley Stace, Prince Rama, and 8 others draw inspiration from personal belongings

Notes of Appreciation

Introduction by Electra Slonimsky Yourke

Pages from the guest book of musicologist Nicolas Slonimsky

Good on Paper

Introduction by Dean Wareham

Early drafts of Galaxie 500 lyrics by Dean Wareham

New Voices: “Painting”

By Lev AC Rosen

First in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Modern Artifacts 6: States of Grace

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials from MoMA’s archives relating to painter Grace Hartigan

Music at 6

By Carter Burwell; illustrations by Scott Menchin

Why do Americans get—and seem to want—their news with a soundtrack?

Daily Reminders

By Robert Guest

Lunchbox notes—spanning 15 years—from a father to his two children.

Analog Recovery 4: Starry Night

Photographs by Dennis Stock

Stunning photographs of the 1954 premiere of A Star is Born

Modern Artifacts 5: Early Registration

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

A selection of pages from the Museum of Modern Art’s first guest book, many reproduced here for the first time

Christopher Isherwood: Novelist

By Christopher Isherwood

The writer’s work journals for his celebrated 1964 novel A Single Man

Found Objects

Recovered by Johnny Brewton

Treasures from the estate sale of a San Francisco vice cop

New Voices: “Good Friends”

By Victory Matsui

Tenth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Artist’s Project: Roland Flexner

By Roland Flexner

“LG Suite”: 18 mesmerizing drawings based on the Japanese art of suminagashi

Artist’s Project: Chuck Kelton

By Chuck Kelton

Views, Not From a Window, 2016

Artist’s Project: Berend Strik

By Berend Strik

“Untitled,” 2008 (removable hand-stitched insert)

Modern Artifacts 7: Number 13

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Materials from the MoMA Archives relating to this country’s first major Matisse retrospective

Artist’s Project: Charlie White

By Charlie White

“American Blondes 2005”: What don’t these magazine covers have in common?

Angus Trumble’s 1950 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Fifth in a series)

Modern Artifacts 10: Rent to Own

Introduction by Michelle Elligott

Never-before-seen materials related to the Museum’s discontinued Art Lending Service

Angus Trumble’s 1 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

Year One. On one page. (11th in a series)

Artist’s Project: Hilary Lloyd

By Hilary Lloyd

A series of 16 photographs by the British artist

Angus Trumble’s 2001 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Eighth in a series)

In Memoriam: Extra Buttons

Introduction by Ellen Ellickson; insert created by Nadia Wagner

Librarian Marjorie G. Wynne applied her archiving talents to more than just rare books.

Office Surprise

By Bob Irey

Post-It art made during the night shift by a manager at a furniture chain

Guarded Opinions 9

Commentary by Ryan Scails and Tessa Rosenstein; series edited by Paul VanDeCarr

Insights on artworks by two attendants from the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Artist's Project: Andrea Deszó

By Andrea Dezsó

A child’s memories of her grandmother are refracted through the prism of a rich imagination.

Yours Very Truly

Recovered by Steven Heller

These letters, found at a flea market in Massachusetts, are a study in rejection and tenacity.

Artist’s Project: William Villalongo

With poetry by Nicole Sealey

Anatomy of a Muse, 2015 (with poetry by Nicole Sealey)

Artist’s Project: Stefan Kürten

By Stefan Kürten

Perfect World, 2016

Artist’s Project: Kira Lynn Harris

By Kira Lynn Harris

“Eight Chance Variations Within a Fixed Structure” (removable inserts)

Angus Trumble’s 1824 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Ninth in a series)

Esopus CD #22: Organs

Ten participants musically dissect the body part of their choice for our 22nd audio compilation.

Applied Art

By Alex Masket; Interview with Elaine and Steve Masket

Though he may not communicate verbally, Alex Masket speaks forcefully through his artwork.

Guarded Opinions 4

By La’Quasia Risper; edited by Paul VanDeCarr

A guard from the New Museum offers her impressions of an Urs Fischer sculpture from 2001.

Artist’s Project: Ati Maier

By Ati Maier

“See It Loud,” a removable poster created for Esopus readers

The Sissy Letters (#3)

By Stephen Adly Guirgis

Third in a continuing series of monologues from the New York playwright

The Sissy Letters (#1)

By Stephen Adly Guirgis

First in a continuing series of monologues written for Esopus

On Rounds with The Bad Doctor and Comic Nurse

By Ian Williams and MK Czerwiec

Excerpts from forthcoming graphic novels of two medical practitioners

Guarded Opinions 3

By Berhanu Taffa; edited by Paul VanDeCarr

A guard at the Corcoran Gallery of Art provides commentary on a Monet landscape.

Artist’s Project: Juri Morioka

By Juri Morioka

The artist maps her surroundings with whimsical drawings.

Angus Trumble’s 1849 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Third in a series)

Analog Recovery 5: Durex Versus AIDS

Photographs by Stuart Franklin

Documenting condom production in the early days of the AIDS crisis.

Angus Trumble: Chronologer

By Angus Trumble

Recounting the process of compiling a “Year In Retrospect”

Esopus CD #24: Pioneer Sessions

Tracks from the recording studio of Pioneer Works

Artist’s Project: Karo Akpokiere

By Karo Akpokiere

Es gibt kein Leben ohne Liebe, 2016

Artist’s Project: Fiona Banner

By Fiona Banner

“Top Gun, 2004” transcribes the entire Tony Scott film on a removable poster

Angus Trumble’s 1727 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Seventh in a series)

Alex Shear’s Object Lesson #4

By Alex Shear

A facsimile of a Vietnam-era license plate (removable insert) with striking contemporary resonances

Paintings for Cash

By “Penelope”

An anonymous dispatch from a parallel art universe

Artist’s Project: Robert Therrien

By Robert Therrien

Images of the artist’s sculpture No Title (Red Room)—and a detailed inventory of its contents

Hollywood Minute

By Christopher Durang

A master satirist sets his sights on entertainment news.

Off-Off-Off Broadway

By Rick Holen, Joe Mauro, John Nutt, and Bob Sevra

Four Vietnam veterans tell the story of their front-lines 1969 production of The Fantasticks.

Floating Colors

Interview with Dick Sheaff

Exquisite marbled papers from the Sheaff Paper Ephemera Collection

Artist’s Project: Frank Benson

By Frank Benson

“Flag 2006,” a removable poster from the New York–based artist

Artist’s Project: Richard Misrach

By Richard Misrach

The California photographer creates a stunning removable poster for Esopus readers.

Artist’s Project: Xylor Jane

By Xylor Jane

A calendar clock (a 21" x 30" removable poster) and the formula for its use

Alex Shear’s Object Lesson #5

By Alex Shear

Collector Alex Shear offers yet another object from his collection of American ephemera

Artist’s Project: Darina Karpov

By Darina Karpov

Selections from the 2008 watercolor suite “Sudden Appearances into Vanishing”

Alex Shear’s Object Lesson #3

By Alex Shear

A 17" x 22" removable poster wryly commemorates the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident.

Artist’s Project: Sarah Malakoff

By Sarah Malakoff

“Untitled Interiors,” vivid images of domestic spaces

Artist’s Project: Mickalene Thomas

By Mickalene Thomas

Together, 2016

Spellbound

By Mitch Horowitz

How the American anomaly of Ouija has impacted national life—and art—over the past century.

Artist’s Project: Mary Lum

By Mary Lum

Die-cut collages depicting the urban landscape—and its effects on those who traverse it.

100 Frames: La Ciénaga (2001)

Film by Lucrecia Martel; introduction by Kent Jones

Stills from the opening sequence of the Argentinian director’s award-winning first feature

The Desert

By Jen Bervin

A sewn poem inspired by a facsimile of John Van Dyke’s The Desert (1901)

New Voices: “For Emergency Use Only”

By Ethan Rutherford

Second in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

New Voices: “Methods of Rest”

By Vivien Shotwell

Third in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

“Notes for a Young Alchemist”

By Julia Drake

12th in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Artist’s Project: Edward Ruscha

By Edward Ruscha

A series of altered book covers by the acclaimed Los Angeles–based artist

Artist’s Project: Fernando Bryce

By Fernando Bryce

Pages and covers of Américas magazine revisited in brush and ink

The Greatest

By Ulysses Davis

Never-before-published carved busts of 40 U.S. presidents by a Savannah barber

Artist’s Project: Elizabeth Ferry

By Elizabeth Ferry

A new angle on the magazine pinup

I’m With the Band

By Heather McPherson

What compels a shy girl from Missouri to become a Japanese drummer?

Timothy Leary: A User's Manual

Introduction by Jensen Davis

Psychedelic Prayers by the countercultural legend

Angus Trumble’s 1904 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (First in a series)

Artist’s Project: Stephen Eichhorn

By Stephen Eichhorn

“Cat Sampler,” 2014

New Colors: Composing in the 21st Century

By Anthony Cheung

A young composer writes about his inspirations and offers a glimpse into his creative process.

To Save a Life

By Heather McPherson

Notes on failing to be a nurse, a bone-marrow donor, and a good Samaritan

Found Object: Spliced Duck

Recovered by Rich Remsberg

Esopus regular Remsburg found this anonymous collage in a shop in Readsboro, VT, in 2004.

New Voices: “Carter and the Kid”

By Stuart Nadler

Fourth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Artist’s Project: Shanan Kurtz

By Shanan Kurtz

“All the Eyes Are Mine,” a selection of digitally modified found photographs

Found Object: Croquis Dessin

Recovered by David Scher

Pages from a sketchbook found in the most unlikely of places.

Demetri Martin: Comedian

By Demetri Martin

Never-before seen pages from the entertainer’s private joke journal

Artist’s Project: Melissa Meyer

By Melissa Meyer

Duets, 2015

Artist’s Project: James Pyman

By James Pyman

“The Adventures of Lionel: The Book of Hours”

Found Object: Optical Allusions

Recovered by Rich Remsberg

Rebus puzzles found in a bound volume of a Victorian-era children’s magazine

Artist’s Project: Marilyn Minter

By Marilyn Minter

Spray On, 2016

Artist’s Project: Joyce Pensato

By Joyce Pensato

“Untitled,” 2013 (with removable poster)

Artist’s Project: John Baldessari

By John Baldessari

“Foot and Stocking Series,” a series based on a 1965 painting by the artist

“Are We All On The Same Page?”

By Dan Harris

An acclaimed screenwriter’s inside perspective on filmmaking in Hollywood

Angus Trumble’s 1929 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (10th in a series)

Artist’s Project: Mickey Smith

By Mickey Smith

“Untitled” (2009): Selections from the artist’s “Volume” series

Soft Serve

By Daniel Tannehill Neely

Tracking the evolution of that perennial summer anthem, the ice-cream truck jingle

Searching for Nostradamus

By Stéphane Gerson

A survey of visual representations of Nostradamus over the past 500 years

New Voices: “How to Win in Reno”

By Kelly Sandoval; photograph by Lisa Kereszi

Seventh in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

New Voices: “Plate Tectonics”

By Lesley Clayton

Fifth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Artist’s Project: Yvonne Jacquette

By Yvonne Jacquette

Sixteen fragments from 25 years’ worth of printmaking

New Voices: “The Pepsi”

By Rick Stinson

Ninth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Artist’s Project: Adam Chodzko

By Adam Chodzko

A journey to one page

Artist’s Project: Mary Ellen Carroll

By Mary Ellen Carroll

Portraits from the New York-based conceptualist’s “You and We” series

Artist’s Project: Martin Wilner

By Martin Wilner

The Singles, 2013–15

Artist’s Project: Teresa Matas

By Teresa Matas

Arte Terapéutico, 2015

Artist’s Project: John Sparagana

By John Sparagana

“Untitled,” 2013 (with removable poster)

Artist’s Project: Bill Burns

By Bill Burns

“Storyboards for Dogs and Boats and Airplanes Told in the Form of Ivan the Terrible,” 2012

Cuoca

By Jody Williams

A New York City chef reminisces about time spent learning to cook—and live—in Northern Italy.

Artist’s Project: Ted Barker

By Ted Barker

legacy, 2017

Angus Trumble’s 1417 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (15th in a series)

Angus Trumble’s 1975 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (Second in a series)

Artist’s Project: Kay Rosen

By Kay Rosen

“ABC, a Primer” (removable 32-page booklet)

Angus Trumble’s 1966 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (14th in a series)

On Writing The Middle Room

By Jennifer Moxley

A poet revisits the creative process behind her 2007 memoir.

Chamber Pieces

Essay by Peter Galison; photographs by Stanley Greenberg

Striking images of—and from—an obsolete tool of 20th-century physics

Suju Kwock Kim: Poet

By Suji Kwock Kim

Twenty-two drafts of the poem Generation

Artist’s Project: Gareth Jones

By Gareth Jones

“Ten Kitchens” from the London-based artist

Artist’s Project: Michael Iskowitz

By Michael Iskowitz

“A Doll House Society” (removable 24-page book)

Bern Porter: A Found Essay

By Mark Melnicove

A composite portrait of the late artist, philosopher, poet, and scientist

Angus Trumble’s 1933 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One Year. One page. (12th in a series)

New Voices: “Reading”

By Katherine J. Lee

Eighth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Angus Trumble’s 1913 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (13th in a series)

Artist’s Project: Jeff Gibson

By Jeff Gibson

“Encyclopaedia Pareidolia,” 2009

Heir Mail

By Gerald Seligman; By Peter Seligman

Communicating through collage, two brothers use a public service to forge a private bond.

Angus Trumble’s 1877 In Retrospect

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (16th in a series)

Angus Trumble’s 1986 In Haiku

By Angus Trumble

One year. One page. (17th in a series)

Artist’s Project: Mark Keffer

By Mark Keffer

Form and function merge in this series of altered maps.

Artist’s Project: Thomas Lawson

By Thomas Lawson

“United Against Tyranny,” 2011

Found Objects: Here I Am

From the collection of Peter Cohen

These anonymous photographs are all about me—and us.

New Voices: “The Cameraman”

By Maureen O'Leary

Sixth in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

New Voices: “Blue”

By Chelli Riddiough

Eleventh in our series of fiction by never-before-published authors

Oddments

By Jessica Rae Elsaesser

A suite of new work by an emerging Brooklyn-based poet

The Disenchanted City

Poem by Chantal Bizzini

Second in a series of poems by the French poet and translator

Into the Night

Poem by Chantal Bizzini

Third in a series of poems by the French poet and translator

Artist’s Project: Fred Tomaselli

By Fred Tomaselli

Chemical Celestial Portraits, Series 2, 2014

September

Poem by Chantal Bizzini

First in a series of poems by the French poet and translator

Artist’s Project: Penny McCarthy

By Penny McCarthy

“Time Will Darken Paper,” 2014

The Esopus Reader

Tod Lippy, Editor

An anthology of written contributions to Esopus from 2003 to 2018.

Modern Artifacts

Michelle Elligott and Tod Lippy

A compilation of all 18 installments of the Esopus series, also featuring six new artists' projects.

Women of Marwencol

Mark Hogancamp

Our Fall 2014 edition features six recent images (reproduced as full-color 27 x 36" posters) by Mark Hogancamp as well as a booklet packaged in a custom-designed slipcase.

Other People's Prescriptions

Neil Goldberg

The inaugural publication from the Esopus Books imprint is also this acclaimed New York–based artist's first monograph.

Three Types of Reading Ambiguity

Charles Bissell and Beth Campbell

Three Types of Reading Ambiguity is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between musician Charles Bissell and contemporary artist Beth Campbell. 

Esopus Drawings

Tod Lippy

Twenty-five drawings by the Esopus editor cover 15 years’ worth of Esopus issues, events, exhibitions, and more.

Esopus Drawings

Tod Lippy

Twenty-five drawings by the Esopus editor cover 15 years' worth of Esopus issues, events, exhibitions, and more.

A Lot More Inside: Esopus Magazine

Tod Lippy, Editor

The catalog for the eponymous Colby College Museum of Art show also serves as a final issue of Esopus.

Golden Years

Ed Rosenbaum

Never-before-seen images of musical icons David Bowie, Lou Reed, and many others.

Esopus Paintings

Steve Keene

The Brooklyn-based artist creates an original painting for every Esopus Premium suscriber.

Golden Years

Ed Rosenbaum

Never-before-seen images of musical icons David Bowie, Lou Reed, and many others.

Punch

Nat Meade

A stunning multiple featuring 14 archival giclée prints and one original drawing encased in a wooden cigar box.

Esopus 23 Make-Ready

Booklet

Limited-edition saddle-stitched 16-page booklet with “make-ready” sheets from the print run of Esopus 23. 

Hope Hill Road

Robert Gober

A limited-edition multiple created for Esopus subscribers by the New York–based artist.

Outtakes

Bryan Nash Gill

Limited-edition woodcuts related to the artist's 2012 Esopus Space exhibition

See It Loud

Ati Maier

Special edition related to Ati Maier's artist's project in Esopus 4

Cynthia Balfour Rehearsing “Fire Vanquished By Snow"

Inge Morath

Inge Morath, Cynthia Balfour Rehearsing “Fire Vanquished By Snow,” 1955 (from Bal d’Hiver series)

Esopus Covers 1-20

Jason Polan and Robert Warner

A collaboration between artist Jason Polan and printer Robert Warner

David Bowie, Madison Square Garden, 1979

Ed Rosenbaum

An archival inkjet print of David Bowie related to our Fall 2016 limited-edition artwork

Hope Hill Road

Robert Gober

Signed-and-numbered multiple created for Esopus subscribers by the New York–based artist.

Eyes [diptych]

Barbara Bloom

Two limited-edition prints related to the artist's project for Esopus 20

Batman 4

Joyce Pensato

One of five unique drawings by the Brooklyn-based artist

Women of Marwencol

Mark Hogancamp

A special edition of 25 multiples related to Hogancamp's Fall 2014 limited-edition artwork for Premium subscribers

Ho, Ho, Ho

Kay Rosen

A limited-edition multiple created by the Chicago-based conceptual artist

Ballast Stone

Matthew Benedict

A limited edition print by the Brooklyn-based artist

Untitled Interior

Sarah Malakoff

A limited-edition photographic print by the <i>Esopus 9</i> contributor

House of Cards

Allen Ruppersberg

A limited-edition multiple related to the artist's project for Esopus 8

Untitled Gentleman #32

Erica Allen

A limited-edition print related to the artist's project for Esopus 14

Untitled

Richard Misrach

A limited-edition print related to the artist's project for <i>Esopus 5</i>

Untitled

Robert Therrien

A multiple created by hand by the Los Angeles–based artist