The Brooklyn Rail

The Brooklyn Rail is a monthly newspaper that features art criticism, politics, social issues, and literary criticism, with a focus on New York City's Brooklyn borough, Manhattan, and the broader New York metropolitan area. The publication is known for its in-depth interviews with prominent figures such as Noam Chomsky, Slavoj Žižek, and Rebecca Solnit, as well as its coverage of local activism and community organizing efforts, including those led by Occupy Wall Street and the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. With its diverse range of topics and contributors, including writers like Jonathan Lethem and Jennifer Egan, The Brooklyn Rail has become a staple of the city's cultural landscape, often featuring articles on museums like the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

● History

The Brooklyn Rail was founded in 2000 by Suzanne Joelson and Joe Amrhein, with the goal of creating a publication that would showcase the art and culture of Brooklyn and provide a platform for local artists and writers to share their work, including those associated with the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Lyceum. Over the years, the publication has undergone several changes, including the addition of new sections and features, such as the Critical Perspectives section, which has included contributions from critics like Hal Foster and Lucy Lippard. The Brooklyn Rail has also expanded its coverage to include topics like environmentalism and social justice, with articles on issues like climate change and the Black Lives Matter movement, often in conversation with scholars like Naomi Klein and Angela Davis. The publication has featured interviews with notable figures like Cornel West and Arundhati Roy, and has covered events like the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention.

● Content and Format

The Brooklyn Rail features a wide range of content, including art reviews of exhibitions at galleries like the Gagosian Gallery and the Pace Gallery, interviews with artists like Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, and essays on topics like politics and social issues, often written by academics like Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek. The publication also includes a section dedicated to poetry and fiction, featuring work by writers like Claudia Rankine and Teju Cole, as well as a section on film and theater reviews, covering productions at theaters like the Public Theater and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The Brooklyn Rail is known for its unique format, which combines the look and feel of a newspaper with the in-depth coverage of a magazine, often incorporating photography by artists like Cindy Sherman and Richard Prince. The publication is available in print and online, and is distributed throughout New York City, including at newsstands and coffee shops like the Cafe Grumpy.

● Editorial Team and Contributors

The Brooklyn Rail has a diverse and experienced editorial team, including editors like Emily DeVoti and Laila Pedro, who have worked with publications like the Village Voice and the New York Times. The publication also features a wide range of contributors, including writers like Zadie Smith and George Saunders, artists like Marina Abramovic and Ai Weiwei, and scholars like Rebecca Solnit and Naomi Klein. The Brooklyn Rail has a strong commitment to showcasing the work of emerging artists and writers, and has featured contributions from students and faculty at institutions like the School of Visual Arts and the New School. The publication has also collaborated with other organizations and institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, on special projects and exhibitions, like the Whitney Biennial and the Armory Show.

● Impact and Reception

The Brooklyn Rail has had a significant impact on the art and culture scene in New York City, with its in-depth coverage of exhibitions and events at venues like the Guggenheim Museum and the New Museum. The publication has been praised for its unique perspective and its commitment to showcasing the work of emerging artists and writers, and has been recognized with awards like the Utne Independent Press Award and the AAN Award for General Excellence. The Brooklyn Rail has also been featured in other publications, including the New York Times and the Village Voice, and has been cited as a source by scholars and researchers at institutions like Columbia University and New York University. The publication has a strong following among artists and writers in New York City, and is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential art and culture publications in the city, often in conversation with institutions like the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● Special Issues and Projects

The Brooklyn Rail has produced several special issues and projects over the years, including a special issue on climate change and the environment, featuring contributions from scientists like James Hansen and Bill McKibben, and a special issue on social justice and activism, featuring contributions from activists like Angela Davis and Cornel West. The publication has also collaborated with other organizations and institutions on special projects, including a series of exhibitions and events at the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, and a series of lectures and workshops at the New School and the School of Visual Arts. The Brooklyn Rail has also produced several special editions, including a special edition on poetry and fiction, featuring work by writers like Claudia Rankine and Teju Cole, and a special edition on film and theater, featuring reviews and interviews with filmmakers like Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese. The publication has also partnered with institutions like the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Public Theater to produce special events and performances, like the Next Wave Festival and the Under the Radar Festival.