We asked friends of a-n to suggest ideas for a contemporary art Christmas list – gift suggestions by people working in the visual arts, for people working in the visual arts. Here’s a selection of what they came up with.
1. Christmas Angel
This is a free gift (see first image in picture gallery), generally found on pavements outside McDonald’s restaurants.
Chosen by Leo Fitzmaurice, artist, leofitzmaurice.com
2. I Remember by Joe Brainard (Notting Hill Editions)
This is a new, lovely-looking edition of one of my favourite books ever, originally published in 1970, proves that at least one visual artist has been able to write clearly, powerfully and evocatively. It’s a memoir, a life in art, and (incidentally) been a real guide book for me.
Chosen by Mark Robinson, arts strategist and thinker, www.thinkingpractice.co.uk
3. Plain Space by John Pawson
Architect John Pawson’s Plain Space would make the perfect Christmas present. This print is a limited edition of 100 pairs of blind embossings on 300gsm Somerset paper by K2 printers, and each pair is numbered and signed in pencil by Pawson. It’s minimal and gorgeous, but it also celebrates the work of a home-grown, world-renowned, talented British architect.
Chosen by Sally Lockey, Programme Manager, Flo-culture www.flo-culture.com, @flo_culture
4. Crispin Finn 2013 Year Planner
I wanted to suggest Nadine Jarvis’s project where your ashes can be turned into pencils after you die, but her website is no longer around and it’s not something you can exactly buy. So, Crispin Finn’s Year Planner for 2013 is my choice. It’s hand screen-printed, beautiful, well designed and especially helpful (in my opinion) for artists because you can look at the whole year and find visual patterns for cash flow and busy periods. In my case, being able to see the whole year in one place also helps encourage a bit more forward-planning.
Chosen by Emily Speed, artist, www.emilyspeed.co.uk
5. The films of Adam Curtis
Any of Adam Curtis‘s films, such as ‘All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace’. I really like his films and they always throw up ideas for works and areas to research.
Chosen by David Sherry, artist, www.dave-sherry.com
6. Anything from S1 Artspace’s pop up General Store
This store includes limited edition and unique artworks, hand-designed sketchbooks, specially produced Christmas cards by the likes of Tim Etchells and Paul Morrison and a particularly nice print portfolio of 11 studio holders’ work for £100.
Chosen by Jeanine Griffin, freelance curator/project manager, jeaninegriffin.wordpress.com
7. MaKey MaKey
The MaKey Makey kit is an easy-to-use invention kit that ‘turns the whole world into a keyboard’. With plenty of potential for making ‘serious’ creative technology projects, what could be more fun than making a piano out of bananas on Boxing Day?
Chosen by Clare Reddington, Director, iShed and The Pervasive Media Studio, www.watershed.co.uk, @clarered
8. Valeria Napoleone’s Catalogue of Exquisite Recipes (Koenig Books)
London-based collector Valeria Napoleone is known for her lavish art world dinners and support for artists. She has created a beautiful book that brings together recipes from her birthplace in Lombardy in Northern Italy in combination with artists’ pages by artists in her collection, which is exclusively focused on women. Part of the proceeds go to Down Syndrome Education International, which is a cause close to Napoleone’s heart. A perfect gift for those who share a passion for art and cooking.
Chosen by Paul Hobson, Director, The Contemporary Art Society, www.contemporaryartsociety.org
9. The International Phonetic Alphabet, designed and illustrated by Laura Knight
I love this little booklet/poster – it would make an excellent stocking filler or could be unfolded and framed for full effect. It’s available from Northern Print where there’s also a fantastic range of artists’ prints on offer including Alec Finlay, Anja Percival and Sara Ogilvie – any of which would certainly be welcome under my Christmas tree.
Chosen by Gillian Nicol, Head of Programmes, a-n
10. Still: Oceanscapes by Debra Bloomfield (Chronicle Books)
This photography book of seascapes explores the intertwined connection between the sea and the sky. It’s a beautiful collection of photographs – some stills remind me of Turner’s seascapes – with a strong sense of poetry, and full of emotion.
Chosen by Tonny A, performance artist and a-n Artists Talking blogger, www.tonnyarts.tumblr.com
11. Display Cabinet by Hay
If you want to create your own little museum, take a look at Danish design firm Hay’s storage products. They produce large archive boxes, wall-mounted display cases, and box frames. Their Kabinet is a four storey acrylic display case with a sliding door at the back.
Chosen by Joshua Sofaer, artist, www.joshuasofaer.com
12. Making Contemporary Sculpture by Ian Dawson (The Crowood Press)
This is a great gift to give insight into how artists today think, what motivates them, and how they approach making. For any artist experiencing a mild form of winter blues, this book will remind them of the joys of getting into the studio.
Chosen by Nicole Mollett,
artist and curator www.nicolemollett.co.uk
13. Sanctuary: Britain’s Artists and their Studios (Thames & Hudson)
A tome of a book and one for the curtain twitchers among us. Whilst beautifully laid out and including a particularly nice essay by Iwona Blazwick, above all else this book will be the source of some serious studio envy!
Chosen by Narbi Price, artist, www.narbiprice.co.uk, @NarbiPrice, facebook.com/NarbiPriceArt
14. Print Edition from Modern Empire
Modern Empire works with emerging and established artists to produce affordable limited edition prints. Artists include Vicki Bennett, Alec Finlay and – cheeky, I know – myself, among others.
Chosen by Kelly Richardson, artist, www.kellyrichardson.net, @richardsonkelly
15. Simon & Tom Bloor Untitled 2009 (second revised edition) 594 x 420mm, designed by James Langdon
Chosen because I love the sentiment – Better a Broken Arm Than a Bruised Spirit – even though it tempts fate while there’s ice on the ground. £400, unframed. Order: [email protected]
Chosen by Helen Legg, Director, Spike Island, www.spikeisland.org.uk
Thanks to all of the above for their contributions, and also to those whose suggestions didn’t make the cut.
