19/12/2001

The Los Angeles-based magazine “Art issues” celebrated for its unorthodox view of contemporary art and popular culture for the past 13 years ceased publication on December the 8^th. Gary Kornblau, who launched “Art issues” in 1989 with $ 30,000 (€ 33,400) and has always been its editor, said the magazine "has done what we wanted it to do." But its demise has surprised many artists, critics, curators and museum directors, who reacted with dismay according to the “Los Angeles Times”. Peter Schjeldahl, art critic of the “New Yorker”, said the magazine was "the major, perhaps the only, art magazine of thoroughly independent intelligence in the country. It was just immensely refreshing. I shared it with students to indicate that the art world was not a thoroughly corporate entity." New York artist Jason Middlebrook commented how other magazines have became so dependent on advertisements and fashion companies that they changed their identities, while “Art issues” remained true. The magazine was supported with about $ 60,000 (€ 66,800) in grants a year, along with donations and had about 3,000 paid subscriptions in 2001. Kornblau stated that more money would be needed in the future for the publication to thrive. Those funds could probably be found, he said, but it would it take too much time from the editorial work that he loves. “Art issues Press” however will remain open. (James Goulder)