Raymond Pettibon: To Wit

I loved Raymond Pettibon: To Wit, the artist’s recent solo show at David Zwirner, and this beautifully designed exhibition catalog allows me to relive it, but with more insight! The DIY nature of the physical book—the cover is a cardboard-like material—mimics the title page and also wall text at the exhibition, which was hand-painted by Pettibon, and aptly captures a certain aesthetic of the artist. There are several phenomenal, full-page photographs that document the artist in the gallery space, where he moved his studio for 3 weeks leading up to the show to create and install the work. These behind-the-scenes shots provide an excellent portrayal of Pettibon’s nature and process. There is an array of magnificent installation views as well as over 70 images of individual works from the show. The photography is beautifully done and the color and clarity of the reproductions give the reader a real sense of the dimensionality and texture of the works. The highlight for me is the essay by Lucas Zwirner, who spent the summer leading up to the exhibition assisting Pettibon. Lucas, a writer who clearly has an extensive knowledge of English literature, offers an incredible interpretation and understanding of Pettibon’s iconic language and prose. The interview between the artist and Kim Gordon is equally intimate. It reads more as a conversation between two old friends and touches upon the topics of Pettibon’s film work (some of which Kim acted in), his Twitter account (follow him @RaymondPettibon), and his political works. If you missed the exhibition, or saw it and wished there had been a catalog (like me), this book is a great way to (re)experience it. This catalog is a necessary addition to anyone’s art book library.

I love this Raymond Pettibon book. To Wit captures the sprit of his most recent exhibition and has a rougher, DIY feel than some of the other books that have come out recently. It really reflects his artistic persona. It helps that this book is based on one of his strongest gallery exhibitions; I personally think that his month long "residency" in David Zwirner's gallery space really helped make that a reality. Lucas Zwirner's essay is well crafted and poignant; Raymond's interview with Kim Gordon has a looseness and warmth that in large part must come out of their friendship. Beautifully printed in Italy, and at a great price, this is really a must have publication if you are into the work of one of the best contemporary draftsman and most challenging living artists. Highly recommmended.

A clear cry of pain. Penises and bloodiness, ecological destruction, four months til the world stops, trinity alamogordo and human rights consumption. Plus depictions of people in sex, or possibly crime. Not underage that I can tell. Not appropriate for children. Rated NC-17, or X-1, I haven't painted in 25 years, what would I know. Never met the man. Raymond appears to be in pain, or suffering a conscious coupling un-minutemen to the max. Just hold out and hope for a peaceful world. Map of Poland or Ohio in 1942.