You might visit a museum and come home still wondering, “Why is this considered good?” or “What kind of value does this have?” – left with that lingering feeling of not really getting art.
One day, an artwork that seems impossible to understand is priced in the tens of millions; the next, you stumble upon a quiet, breathtaking piece in a tiny gallery tucked away on a city street – free to enter, open to all. Sometimes, what’s called “art” isn’t an object at all, but a project, an idea, something that stretches far beyond the frame. These moments remind us: behind every artwork lie layers of history and theory. The world of art isn’t always something we can grasp with feeling alone. Often, it resists easy understanding—and without a key, we may find ourselves locked out. So in this series, each week we’ll open the door a little wider, introducing books that offer new ways into the world of art.
With the summer heat now in full swing, there’s no better time to stay cool indoors. Or rather, it’s so unbearably hot, there’s hardly any choice but to stay in. So why not pass the time flipping through an art magazine? You might find yourself swept into unseen worlds and dazzling creativity. After all, there are still so many inspiring art magazines out there waiting to be discovered.
◯‘Epoch review’ edited by Francesca Gavin and Leonard Vernhet（Epoch review）
This independent magazine from France is published on an irregular schedule, with the ambitious aim of fostering dialogue between the present and the past. The magazine is creatively helmed by Leonard Vernhet, a leading art director known for his collaborations with Chanel, Supreme, and Hermès, as well as contributing to USELESS FIGHTERS, a mountain-themed magazine produced in collaboration with Ramdane Touhami, founder of Officine Universelle Buly. In Epoch Review, Vernhet orchestrates a fusion of disciplines—anthropology, fashion, science, art, archaeology, and music—bringing together a diverse community of artists, thinkers, historians, and anthropologists. Each issue tackles wide-ranging and often abstract themes, such as “metamorphosis” and “prophecy.” It’s the kind of magazine that dares to cast a wide conceptual net—only to pull it all together with stunning precision. Curious minds will find a treasure trove of bold, boundary-pushing creativity. Go ahead and dive in.
◯‘Provoke’ edited by Koji Taki, Takuma Nakahira, Yutaka Takanashi, Takahiko Okada, and Daido Moriyama (Published by Nitesha)
Magazines come in all shapes and sizes—from glossy monthlies to scrappy zines and self-published journals. But every once in a while, a magazine comes along that becomes truly legendary, remembered long after its last issue. Provoke is one of those rare gems. Conceived in 1968 by art critic Koji Taki and photographer Takuma Nakahira, later joined by poet Takahiko Okada and photographer Yutaka Takanashi, it was born as a small self-published journal with big ideas. Though it only ran for three issues, its impact was enormous. Under the bold slogan “Provocative Materials for Thought,” its content was written as materials for radical thought, and even its design made a striking statement. In fact, when Frank Ocean teased his new album recently, fans quickly pointed out echoes of Provoke in the cover art. With a reprint project making these issues easier to get your hands on, now’s the perfect time to dive in.
