John Cheim is primarily known as one half of influential New York gallery . However, Cheim is also an outstanding book designer and has produced a number of important artist publications over the last 30 years including monographs on Louise Bourgeois, Alice Nell, Jack Pierson and Bruce Weber, to a name a few. From 15 October until 17 November his work appears at the ICA in a presentation that sheds light on his career as a book designer. Aesthetica speaks to Cheim about his design projects and his new exhibition.
A: You have produced and designed a number of important artist publications over the last 30 years. What prompted you to want to display them publicly now?
JC: It was not actually my idea to display these books but rather that of Gregor Muir, the curator at the ICA. I was flattered and honored by his request.
A: How would you describe your style of book design to anyone who hadn’t seen your work before?
JC: I would describe my approach as simple, classical, perhaps perhaps old-fashioned. I look to the magazines and books of the 1940s and 1950s such as Fortune and Harper’s Bazaar. I have also always admired the books of Ed Ruscha.
A: What is it about the book that makes it your key focus for design?
JC: The key focus of my design is to support the art or artist in question, not overwhelm the subject.
A: Which of your works would you pinpoint as the real highlights of your display?
JC: Certainly working with Andy Warhol to produce the very first book of his photographs was thrilling and much to my delight he loved it. I was also most fortunate to be able to work with the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat to edit and design the first ever publication of his beautiful drawings.
A: How, if at all, has your approach to book design changed throughout your career?
JC: My approach to work or catalogue design has not changed much over the years. In the face of the internet I still love the material quality of a three-dimensional publication and the feel of it.
A: Does your work as one half of the influential New York gallery, Cheim & Read, influence your work as a book designer?
JC: Most of the publications I have been involved with are for our gallery, Cheim & Read, but over the years I have produced works for outside projects – for Bruce Weber, The de Kooning Foundation and for Joan Mitchell and Alice Neel publications for Abrams.
Design by John Cheim, until 17 November, , The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH.
Credits
Bruce Weber, New York, Alfred A. Knopf. Book Design by John Cheim, Copyright © 1988 by Bruce Weber.
