David Barringer Ordre des livres (chronologique)

This moment reflects a serious interest in America's global actions, often described as a cause for 'grave concern.' While we do not aim to definitively address these concerns, we believe that exploring discourse surrounding a nation's visual artists reveals insights into its politics and society that are otherwise unattainable. This compilation offers a glimpse into contemporary life in the United States, fostering inspired debate. We hope it serves as a valuable resource for recent writings on contemporary art and inspires further exploration of these 'Uncertain States.' Noah Horowitz and Brian Sholis introduce this unique collection of writings on art and cultural politics in America since 2000. Published in collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery, London, and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo, it accompanies the traveling exhibition Uncertain States of America, curated by Daniel Birnbaum, Gunnar Kvaran, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, and designed by Dexter Sinister. This thought-provoking anthology is poised to become an essential sourcebook on American culture at the dawn of the new millennium. Contributors include notable figures such as Giorgio Agamben, Dora Apel, John Bowe, Paul Chan, Andrea Fraser, and many others, each offering diverse perspectives on the intersection of art and society.

One of our goals in publishing a design magazine is to distinguish Emigre from the crowd by exploring the unconventional and pushing the boundaries of design publishing. Recently, we observed that many design publications had become overly focused on "eye candy." In response, we aimed to challenge creativity and delve into design writing. While design blogs have emerged as a popular medium, their rapid-fire, casual nature often favors brevity over depth. This trend prompted us to embrace our contrarian spirit and create something truly unique—something that could engage designers in a way that blogs cannot. The solution came in the form of "American Mutt Barks in the Yard" by David Barringer, the longest "Dear Emigre" letter we've ever received. Barringer describes his work as "ambitious and reckless and impassioned," and at 34,940 words, it occupies the entire 128-page issue of Emigre #68. What began as a response to earlier issues evolved into a profound critique of design and advertising that only traditional publishing can accommodate. While we recognize the irony of publishing a conventional book, we believe Barringer's essay boldly ventures into uncharted territory. He stated, "I offer it for publication in Emigre," and we wholeheartedly agree—it belongs here.