Books & the Arts

The Whitney Museum of American Art

Why Has Criticism of the Whitney Been Unmoored? Why Has Criticism of the Whitney Been Unmoored?

It shouldn’t be surprising that the museum’s new building looks most like… a building.

Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Michael Sorkin

Memphis

Memphis Memphis

1 To set all four paws on an upturned tub and not topple over was as much as I could manage even when I still strode into battle with my lord Ramses. Mite-ridden then, raw with man…

Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Paul Muldoon

Andy and Lana Wachowski. (Credit: Wikimedia)

The Truth Behind the Televised Lie The Truth Behind the Televised Lie

From the creators of The Matrix, the new Netflix show Sense8 inadvertently tells the saddest story in the world.

Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Clover

The Sanitorium Vincent in France, one of several institutions where Max Blecher convalesced.

Romancing the Remains Romancing the Remains

A tubercular Surrealist describes his convalescence. What could go right?

Sep 24, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ricky D’Ambrose

Sculpture/fountain by Naum Gabo at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK

The Politics of Bad Art The Politics of Bad Art

In whose service does a painter paint, or a critic criticize?

Sep 24, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

Naples, Italy.

Conditions of Emergence: On Elena Ferrante Conditions of Emergence: On Elena Ferrante

In the pseudonymous author’s Neapolitan Novels, the price of leaving Naples is that you can never be at home again.

Sep 24, 2015 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz

Rafia Zakaria (credit: Jeremy Hogan)

Divided Affections Divided Affections

One writer’s fight against traditions that stifle women in Pakistan.

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Muhammad Idrees Ahmad

Billie Holiday and Mister, circa 1946. (Credit: William P. Gottlieb / LOC)

Who Loves You? Who Loves You?

America’s ongoing fascination with Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Diagnosis Inc.

Diagnosis Inc. Diagnosis Inc.

You are two oranges shy of sangria You chumpchange in a clackdish You the flensed soldier, egg-runny on the inside You frogging deadline after deadline You caught in a Swiss chokeh…

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / James Byrne

Miriam Toews (credit: Carol Loewen)

The Unfathomable Sadness The Unfathomable Sadness

Miriam Toews writes about death and mental illness without sentimentality or sweeping platitudes.

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Lauren Oyler

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