Notes From the Margins
Chana Levy
To begin, a note on the title. The thing is, I’ve just finished a BA where no essay title felt complete without at least one unconventional piece of punctuation or a semi-obscure theoretical reference. So when Justina asked me to name this section to introduce myself, the art school in me automatically started to prattle on about “Interning After the End of Internships?” or “The Post-Studio Intern Condition as Methodology.”
But here, in this wonderful newsletter, I admire the humble mix of photography, studio life, but also the light-hearted and genuine sharing of sentiments like a letter to a close friend. Remote interning for The Book Photographer has so far been a wonderful experience. I might not be physically in the studio, but I get to drop into its rhythm through enlightening chats, behind the scene insights and beautifully chaotic Google Docs.
I’m floating somewhere between contributor and curious observer, which in many ways mirrors the exact fascination I have toward art books. So alas, I settled on ‘Notes From the Margins,’ a perfect way to embody the gratitude I have for being welcomed to the lovely world of The Book Photographer all the way from my London flat.
I’ve always been a visual person so I thought it would be nice to introduce myself through literally capturing the space I am writing from:
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The bureau I treat as my desk (one of my best finds from Facebook marketplace) is surrounded on one side by stacks of literary books. I am lucky to work in a bookshop so I have built an assortment of both fiction and non-fiction that feels perfectly tailored to me. On the other side I have a little selection from the mountain of art books and magazines I own (a bookshelf for these is my current Facebook marketplace mission).
Right now a page from Another Magazine is open on an interview with Ed Atkins. I recently went to his exhibition at the Tate Britain, so if you happen to be in London this summer, it is a must see - I absolutely loved it! I also have tucked inside my desk cupboard a collection of old cookbooks which is a fascination of mine.
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I am obsessed with the grotesque imagery that can be found in the highly saturated style of 60s and 70s home-cooking. I am hoping to make a fun art project from these strange and somewhat disturbing books soon! Lying on my bureau shelves I have fragments of small clay sculptures I’ve made, a bunch of badges I love decorating my bags and jackets with, haunted by the vitamins I keep forgetting to take everyday. Lying proudly here, I also have the prototype of the first full publication I ever made, ‘syn-’ magazine, a nice constant reminder of my passion for all things print!
I can’t wait to see what the upcoming weeks hold in store for me with The Book Photographer from this cute desk of mine. It has been lovely to virtually meet you!
Sending love,
Chai x
But here, in this wonderful newsletter, I admire the humble mix of photography, studio life, but also the light-hearted and genuine sharing of sentiments like a letter to a close friend. Remote interning for The Book Photographer has so far been a wonderful experience. I might not be physically in the studio, but I get to drop into its rhythm through enlightening chats, behind the scene insights and beautifully chaotic Google Docs.
I’m floating somewhere between contributor and curious observer, which in many ways mirrors the exact fascination I have toward art books. So alas, I settled on ‘Notes From the Margins,’ a perfect way to embody the gratitude I have for being welcomed to the lovely world of The Book Photographer all the way from my London flat.
I’ve always been a visual person so I thought it would be nice to introduce myself through literally capturing the space I am writing from:
The bureau I treat as my desk (one of my best finds from Facebook marketplace) is surrounded on one side by stacks of literary books. I am lucky to work in a bookshop so I have built an assortment of both fiction and non-fiction that feels perfectly tailored to me. On the other side I have a little selection from the mountain of art books and magazines I own (a bookshelf for these is my current Facebook marketplace mission).
Right now a page from Another Magazine is open on an interview with Ed Atkins. I recently went to his exhibition at the Tate Britain, so if you happen to be in London this summer, it is a must see - I absolutely loved it! I also have tucked inside my desk cupboard a collection of old cookbooks which is a fascination of mine.
I am obsessed with the grotesque imagery that can be found in the highly saturated style of 60s and 70s home-cooking. I am hoping to make a fun art project from these strange and somewhat disturbing books soon! Lying on my bureau shelves I have fragments of small clay sculptures I’ve made, a bunch of badges I love decorating my bags and jackets with, haunted by the vitamins I keep forgetting to take everyday. Lying proudly here, I also have the prototype of the first full publication I ever made, ‘syn-’ magazine, a nice constant reminder of my passion for all things print!
I can’t wait to see what the upcoming weeks hold in store for me with The Book Photographer from this cute desk of mine. It has been lovely to virtually meet you!
Sending love,
Chai x