Geoffrey Dorfman's biography of painter Milton Resnick (1917-2004)
I only met Milton Resnick once, and that was at a gallery opening so we didn't have much time to talk, I was impressed though by his eloquence. Now, I have just finished reading Geoff Dorfman's new book on Resnick and once again I am impressed by this account! I knew Geoff Dorfman because we were both students at The Cooper Union in the early 1970s, and even then I was aware that Dorfman had struck up a friendship with Milton Resnick. Around Resnick were many artist types who either taught classes at Cooper Union or were in gallery shows that I would frequent - this was at the very beginning of the SoHo era (1970-1990 )!
What is really wonderful about Dorfman's writing is that he captures the sounds and atmosphere of New York City and the art world as it opens its doors to a wave of abstraction from the 1950s onward. You can get a picture of that from just looking at the photo ( see above ) on the cover of this book, which I highly recommend! Take the time to read the story and you will have a strong feeling about the genesis of a kind of liberation in the art world in New York City.
Catalog for Vincent Joseph at The Trumansburg Conservatory
In my most recent blog post I wrote about an art show that we saw in Trumansburg, New York, and I neglected to say that this is a two person show, with my friend Gillian Pederson-Krag and Vincent Joseph ( see above ). Vincent Joseph also published a nice catalog which has images included in this two person show as well as an interesting essay about: Mysticism and Formalism: "the Feeling of Seeing". This is a kind of personal philosophy from the painter's point of view, an artist's statement that tries to dig deep into the kind of mind involved in the act of painting a picture...certainly not the first time someone who has tried to characterize this activity for themselves and others! I think you will enjoy Vincent Joseph in his artwork and in his writing - it will give you something to think about!
My writing this week has a lot to do with books as you can see..which brings me to the Rochester Public Library! On this subject we have a Wonderful! Show! Now thru December 31, 2026 at the Anthony Mascioli Gallery in the Central Library, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, New York. Here is a copy of the catalog for the 15th Annual Juried International Exhibit - "Art of the Book & Paper". Don't miss this show!
Creative Masterpiece - The Art of the Book & Paper show - on now at The Central Library, Rochester, New York
As an artist I have been involved with creating books all my life! I got started as a little kid and I made a scroll that was almost a hundred feet long - it was done with crayon pencils and the story I told was how roads are built and why. Later, when I was a student I watched my father ( who worked at home ) illustrate his famous "Birds of the World", which was published by Golden Press.
The Singer family had an amazing show two years ago in the Mascioli Gallery in the Central Library, which I curated called: "Our Nature", maybe you had a chance to see it...as a family we had the opportunity to publish over 50 books!
I bring all of this up because I am thrilled to see this juried show that is now open to the public, and it features almost a hundred different artists and their creative output - this is taking artist books to a new level.
The work included in this juried show has sculptural elements, has design and typography, printmaking and so much more. Some books are carved out while others could be part of a fashion display...
Bonnie Kuhr of Petaluma, CA with her "Ode to Edvard Munch"
Sue Chandak of Seneca Falls, NY with her "Always Strong"
I know many of the artists in this show like Sue Leopard, who won an award for her artist book "Love in the Age of Covid", and there are also works in this show by people who worked for the Central Library like Kristin Spath, and Corinne Clar with her "Dandelion Explosion".
The "Best of Show" award went to Todd Thyberg of Minneapolis, MN for his work called: "Pathogenesis". In the catalog for this show he writes that 'The books 42 pages are die cut hexagons that fit together in unlimited configurations...." His media for this winner includes Letterpress, 3D sculpted and printed resin, acrylic and oil paint. Not your usual book materials!
Todd Thyberg with his "Best of Show" called: "Pathogenesis"
When you go to the show at The Central Library you will see 98 different artists represented from five different countries, so this is really an international show with a great future!
98 Artists in this Juried International Show of Book Arts
