Overview

A leading New York gallerist reflects on the artworks that have meant the most to him-and shows how collecting, and looking at, art can change your life. In this book of linked, illustrated essays-a unique hybrid of memoir, art writing, and wisdom-seeking narrative-Steven Kasher looks closely at some thirty artworks in his personal collection. These are not necessarily the largest or most valuable pieces that have passed through his hands, but the ones that have lodged themselves in his mind: a photograph of Janis Joplin, a Philip Guston painting of a salami sandwich on seeded rye, a haunting self-portrait by the comics artist Leela Corman. What sufferings and joys are revealed through these images, he asks? What can they teach us about an expanded self? Can they show us how to love? Through his reflections on these works, Kasher also retraces his personal journey. It is a journey through the New York art world as an artist, an art dealer, a collector, a curator, a writer. The journey of a first-generation Jewish American who plants a Zen seed as a teenager and finds spiritual fruition decades later. A journey through the memory of the Holocaust and a firsthand experience of the Civil Rights Movement. But most of all it is a journey through the meanings we find in art-one that will inspire every art collector and art lover to go take another look at their favorite pictures. AUTHOR: Steven Kasher is the author of seven books, including The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954–68 (Abbeville) and America and the Tintype. He worked as a visual artist before starting, in 1995, Steven Kasher Gallery, which represents many noted photographers and graphic novelists. SELLING POINTS: . In this collection of linked essays, leading New York gallerist Steven Kasher looks closely at some thirty artworks in his personal collection. . A unique hybrid of memoir and art writing that shows how collecting can change your life . An inspirational and aspirational book for art collectors and art lovers . Includes not only traditional media like painting but also Kasher's specialties-photography and the work of women cartoonists like Emil Ferris . Beautifully illustrated, with an original cover artwork by cartoonist Sophie Crumb

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9780789215307

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Reviews

I found the entire text excellent and original in its seamless blend of autobiography and photographic studies. The triple layering of ghosts at the end of the Warhol essay is chilling.--Bob Colacello, writer and former editor of Interview magazine I love the freedom and agility of the narrative, the immersive way it places the reader somewhere he or she may not be familiar with. It evokes an epoch brilliantly, personally. I thought of Bob Dylan's writing, and Patti Smith's.--Teju Cole, writer and photographer I have to tell you, Steve--you really can write your ass off.--Emil Ferris, award-winning graphic novelist I just loved reading this book. My favorite parts are Janis--and thanks for shaming the mansplaining of her--and Dylan.--Laurie Anderson, artist

Very powerful each in its own right and, in complement to each other, even more so: Autobiographical narrative in passionate historical context and outspoken, forthright criticism that reminds me somehow of Robert Hughes in its confidence--all threaded together with a formidably experienced appreciation of photographs. An original and unique, magic concoction.--Jonathan Becker, photographer ""Vanity Fair"" What an extraordinary book this is, all about how and why images of all sorts--from the most celebrated to the humblest--are made, looked at, and valued for revealing as much about ourselves as they do about the world.--Marvin Heiferman, independent curator and writer I found the entire text excellent and original in its seamless blend of autobiography and photographic studies. The triple layering of ghosts at the end of the Warhol essay is chilling.--Bob Colacello, writer and former editor of Interview magazine I love the freedom and agility of the narrative, the immersive way it places the reader somewhere he or she may not be familiar with. It evokes an epoch brilliantly, personally. I thought of Bob Dylan's writing, and Patti Smith's.--Teju Cole, writer and photographer I have to tell you, Steve--you really can write your ass off.--Emil Ferris, award-winning graphic novelist I just loved reading this book. My favorite parts are Janis--and thanks for shaming the mansplaining of her--and Dylan.--Laurie Anderson, artist

I have to tell you, Steve--you really can write your ass off.--Emil Ferris, award-winning graphic novelist I just loved reading this book. My favorite parts are Janis--and thanks for shaming the mansplaining of her--and Dylan.--Laurie Anderson, artist I found the entire text excellent and original in its seamless blend of autobiography and photographic studies. The triple layering of ghosts at the end of the Warhol essay is chilling. --Bob Colacello, writer and former editor of Interview magazine I love the freedom and agility of the narrative, the immersive way it places the reader somewhere he or she may not be familiar with. It evokes an epoch brilliantly, personally. I thought of Bob Dylan's writing, and Patti Smith's. --Teju Cole, writer and photographer

Author Information

Steven Kasher is the author of seven books, including The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954–68 (Abbeville) and America and the Tintype. He worked as a visual artist before starting, in 1995, Steven Kasher Gallery, which represents many noted photographers and graphic novelists.

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