ArtReview September 2023

In the September issue of ArtReview, Ross Simonini looks at Matthew Barney’s SECONDARY, the retelling of an American tragedy in a film whose atmosphere of pain and violence allows, almost incredibly, for an object of striking beauty to emerge. Novelist Khashayar Khabushani tells the story of how artist David Wojnarowicz gave the writer life from beyond the grave. Alexandra Drexelius examines the work of Isabelle Frances McGuire, an artist who seems to be answering the question of what digital visual culture might look like in material film. And Chris Fite-Wassilak speaks with filmmaker Diego Marcon about the power of traditional special effects when it comes to scaring viewers. Also: two new column series addressing, almost from opposite corners, the strengths and weaknesses of popular culture when it comes to depicting the present and imagining possible futures. Plus: the full complement of exhibition and book reviews from around the world. 

Art Observed
The Interview Diego Marcon by Chris Fite-Wassilak
In a Dark Wood by Martin Herbert
Mutant Media by Jamie Sutcliffe
Class Cannibals by Amber Husain

Art Featured
Matthew Barney by Ross Simonini
Isabelle Frances McGuire by Alexandra Drexelius
Casey Reas interview by J.J. Charlesworth
David Wojnarowicz by Kashayar J. Khabushani
Southern Discomfort by Oliver Basciano

Art Reviewed

Books
Drag: A British History, by Jacob Bloomfield, reviewed by Phoebe Blatton
Magma, edited by Paul Olivennes, reviewed by Nirmala Devi
The Slip, by Prudence Peiffer, reviewed by Martin Herbert
Sleepless, by Marie Darrieussecq, reviewed by David Terrien
Bad Infinity, by Aria Dean, reviewed by Mitch Speed
Juliette: Or, the Ghosts Return in the Spring, by Camille Jourdy, reviewed by Madeleine Jacob

Jon Arbuckle’s Amazing adventures in Art land