Book 1987

Richard Artschwager made this 'Book' out of wood, laminate and paint. It's so different from a painting, yet it’s still so much about surface, right? I can only imagine Artschwager in his studio, puzzling over this object. He's a bit like a magician, taking the everyday world and making it strange. It's a book, but it’s not for reading; it's more about looking, about thinking about what a book *is*. The laminate gives it this weird, almost clinical feel, while the black paint is like a shadow, giving it weight. It’s so matter-of-fact, yet it tickles your brain – it asks questions about what we expect from objects, from art, from books. It is reminiscent of the work of other painters, such as Jasper Johns, who take everyday objects and depict them in paintings and sculptures that are simultaneously representational and abstract. It feels like a secret language! Like Artschwager's inviting us to play along, to see the world with fresh eyes.