Artforum

Artforum is a premier monthly magazine dedicated to contemporary art, renowned for its critical essays, artist interviews, and extensive exhibition reviews. Founded in San Francisco, it has been a central voice in shaping art criticism and documenting the evolution of the art world since the mid-20th century. The publication is recognized for its high-quality reproductions and its role in launching and debating major artistic movements, from Minimalism to Postmodernism.

History

The magazine was established in 1962 in San Francisco by a group including John P. Irwin, but its influence expanded dramatically after it was purchased and its operations moved to New York City in 1967 under the leadership of Charles Cowles. This shift aligned the publication with the epicenter of the American art scene, where editors like Philip Leider and later John Coplans championed emerging movements such as Minimalism, featuring artists like Donald Judd, Robert Morris, and Sol LeWitt. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, under editors including Ingrid Sischy, the magazine engaged deeply with Conceptual art, Performance art, and the burgeoning Pictures Generation, publishing writing by influential critics such as Rosalind Krauss and Douglas Crimp. Its headquarters have remained a fixture in New York City, though its editorial purview is thoroughly international.

Content and features

Each issue typically contains in-depth feature articles, critical reviews of exhibitions at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art, and scholarly essays on art theory. A hallmark is its "Front Page" section, which often presents artist-designed covers, a tradition that has featured work by figures like Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons. The magazine regularly publishes interviews with leading artists, from Louise Bourgeois to Matthew Barney, and columns that address the intersections of art with film, architecture, and cultural studies. Its book reviews and coverage of international biennials, such as the Venice Biennale and Documenta, are considered essential reading for curators, scholars, and collectors.

Influence and impact

The publication has exerted profound influence on artistic careers and critical discourse, often serving as a primary platform for legitimizing new art forms. Its criticism helped frame the reception of movements including Land art, as seen in writings on Michael Heizer and Robert Smithson, and Feminist art, through analysis of work by Judy Chicago and Barbara Kruger. Many prominent art historians and theorists, including Leo Steinberg, Hal Foster, and Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, have been contributors, shaping academic and market perceptions. Its annual "Best of" lists and special issues focusing on topics like the art market or regional scenes are widely cited within institutions like the Guggenheim Museum and the Tate Modern.

Controversies

The magazine has been at the center of several significant controversies that reflect broader tensions in the art world. In 1981, a debate erupted over its publication of a drawing by Ad Reinhardt that some considered an advertisement, challenging editorial boundaries. A more famous incident occurred in 1984 with the firing of contributing editor Gary Indiana over a satirical piece, leading to protests from figures like Nan Goldin and William S. Burroughs. In recent years, it has faced criticism and internal turmoil regarding its coverage, or lack thereof, of political issues, corporate sponsorship from entities like Diesel, and its handling of the #MeToo movement within the art community, leading to high-profile editorial resignations.

Ownership and business model

Originally a privately held venture, the magazine has undergone several ownership changes. It was owned for many years by Charles Cowles of Cowles Media Company, before being sold in the 1990s to Anthony Korner, the founder of Bookforum. In 2017, the magazine was acquired by Jay Penske through his media conglomerate, Penske Media Corporation, which also owns publications like Variety and Rolling Stone. Its business model relies on a mix of subscription revenue, newsstand sales, and advertising from major art galleries, auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's, and luxury brands. Special editions and sponsored content, such as supplements for events like Art Basel, also contribute to its financial operations.