Fashion

A New Book Traces the Global Origins of Abstract Art

Karmel, a professor of art history at New York University, approaches the field not as a steady tunneling toward nothingness, but as something more dynamic—and much less white, Western, and male….

In his preface to Abstract Art: A Global History—arriving this month from Thames & Hudson—Joseph Low (“Pepe”) Karmel, a professor of art history at New York University, writes that the goal of the book is “to demonstrate different ways of looking at abstraction and to encourage readers to respond to a wider range of abstract art.” A simple idea in theory, it proves a massive undertaking in practice, demanding a complete rethinking of long-established narratives. With Abstract Art, Karmel approaches the field not as a steady tunneling toward nothingness, as figures and other discernible objects fell away, but as something more dynamic—and much less white, Western, and male. There is no such thing as pure form, he insists; abstract art has always been “rooted in experience of the real world,” wherever and whenever it was made. He identifies five major categories of subject matter—bodies, landscapes, cosmologies, architectures, and signs and patterns, tracing each theme over 100 years, from 1915 to 2015—and works to consider the perspectives of women and artists of color not generally included in the discourse. (A work by the Swedish mystic Hilma af Klint claims the cover; while the Indian-born artist Zarina provides the frontispiece and Wosene Worke Kosrof, an Ethopian painter, the back cover.)

Here, Karmel discusses the book, some of his greatest mentors, and the particular challenges (and pleasures) of teaching art right now.

First, I’d love to know how you came to study art—what it was that turned you onto the field, and to contemporary art in particular.

I was an aimless, young college student who thought that I might be a novelist, because my dad was a novelist. So I finished college and I was writing a really, really bad novel that, fortunately for everyone involved, never got published. Meanwhile, I’d been collecting photography, and a friend of mine, an art critic, said, “Hey, you should write about photography for Art in America.” I was like, I have no credentials! I’ve never taken an art course! And he was like, “It doesn’t matter.” So I started writing about photography for Art in America, [and later] about painting and sculpture. Then I got a gig teaching at the School of Visual Arts, and after a couple of years, it kind of crept up on me that I liked this art history thing, and if I was going to do it for a career, I should probably learn something about it. So I went to graduate school at the Institute of Fine Arts, where I had just amazing teachers—I studied with Kirk Varnedoe and William Rubin from MoMA, who was the most powerful man in the art world from the early 1970s until sometime around 1998. He later asked me to help organize the Cubism exhibition at the museum in 1989. And then I really intended to teach, so I got a part-time job teaching when I finished my Ph.D in ’93. Later, Kirk was chief curator at MoMA, and I had the amazing experience of working with him on the Jackson Pollock retrospective that opened in ’98. When that was over, I got the job that I have now, teaching at NYU. That was, like, 20 years ago.

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Artist Spotlight

Adin Ross Blindsided by Kanye West’s Controversial Gift, A Swastika Shirt With His Name

Adin Ross is a well known streamer in the hip-hop community, famous for showcasing some of the biggest artists in the genre. He has hosted viral interviews and has helped amplify the work of music giants like Drake, earning a reputation as a connector between artists and their fans. However, things took a shocking turn with Kanye West, and the relationship may be irreparable. In the past, Ross has expressed his admiration for West and even tried to collaborate with him on his stream. Recently, West made a bizarre attempt to reach out to Ross by gifting him a custom t-shirt with a Swastika and Ross’s name. This left Ross, who is Jewish, feeling horrified and betrayed.

The awkward moment unfolded during a FaceTime call that Ross recorded and shared with his followers. What started as a friendly chat quickly turned shocking when West unveiled the offensive t-shirt. Ross was visibly stunned, exclaiming, “What the f*ck?!” as he processed what he had just seen. He paused the video and turned to his audience to express his disbelief. “He has a shirt with a Swastika with my name on it,” he said, clearly disappointed and in shock. His viewers reacted with outrage and support for Ross, flooding the chat with their messages.

Throughout the call, Ross tried to keep his cool and handled the situation carefully. He later explained that some fans might have expected him to confront West more aggressively, but he felt the entire situation was just too absurd. “I know y’all are gonna say I didn’t stand up to him,” he noted, emphasizing that his calm reaction didn’t mean he supported West’s actions. This incident is just another episode in Kanye West’s ongoing controversies, but for Adin Ross, it feels like a personal betrayal.

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Artist Spotlight

Jim Jones Goes Savage On Ma$e’s Weight By Saying “He Looks Really Rough”

Jim Jones, the Harlem rapper known for speaking his mind, has recently taken shots at fellow rapper Ma$e in an interview with XXL magazine. Jones didn’t hold back when discussing Ma$e’s appearance, specifically targeting his weight. “Ma$e needs to go on a diet,” Jones said straightforwardly. “He needs to get his life together. He should see a doctor for a check up because he looks really rough.”

Jones was just getting started and didn’t shy away from making more harsh comments. “His body looks out of shape,” he added. “He looks big around the neck and his waist is a mess. I’m body shaming him because he needs to get it together and hit the treadmill, do some push ups, do something! Especially if he’s going to mess with me.” The two rappers have a complicated history with some past disagreements in the Harlem music scene. While Ma$e has mostly been quiet about the recent drama, Jones seems unbothered and is willing to take things personal. As of now, Ma$e has not responded to Jones’ strong remarks.

It’s uncertain if he will ignore the comments or fire back, but Ma$e is known for not staying silent for long. Given the current tensions in the New York hip-hop scene, this exchange could stir up old rivalries. Jim Jones is recognized for his bold personality and straightforward opinions, and his recent remarks show he’s not concerned about hurting anyone’s feelings, especially those of Ma$e. Fans are eagerly awaiting Ma$e’s reaction. Will he respond, or will he choose to take the high road? Either way, this rivalry between these two Harlem rappers is heating up.

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