Jonathan Olivares

Though the ideas developed by Judd throughout this compilation of his gallery reviews, book reviews, articles, letters and statements are entirely interesting, what really intrigues me about this book is the fact that Judd actually went through with all of this writing, firmly developing his position on so many of the works of his contemporaries. The other thing that excites me about the book is that he states that he did all the writing therein as a mercenary, only for the money, to help support himself as an artist, and that he always put the writing off until the deadline. Viewing the book this way I can't help but imagine all the months' rent paid by these words. This book inspired me to support my design studio through similar mercenary-writing activities. I still do write to support the studio and I still put off writing until the very last possible moment, which creates a very productive tension around the writing process.

I found this book in the gift shop of the Neue Galerie in New York ten years ago, while I was a student, and it has consistently remained one of my favorites. The book explores the film Die neue Wohnung, which Richter did on commission from the Swiss Werkbund, and which functioned to promote modern furniture. The book features stills from the film comparing people living with antiquated furniture to people living with modern furniture. Seeing users in action, their movements guided by architecture and furniture, led me to see design as a kind of choreography.