John Yau once commented to Jasper Johns that his choice of materials, such as newsprint, hot wax, and bedsheets, could be quite challenging for conservators. To this, Johns wryly replied, “Yes, it’s falling apart, just like me.” Coinciding with an exhibition at Gagosian that highlights his work from the 1970s, Yau offers a thoughtful analysis of the ironic and transformative creations by this American art icon in a compelling article today.
Despite the extensive achievements in his career, Yau notes, Johns’s passion for art and fellow artists persists. His work suggests that while nothing remains unchanged, the journey is beautifully worthwhile. Additionally, Naib Mian explores the identity behind Khajistan, an Instagram account curating an eclectic mix of visuals and found photos, including showgirls and film posters, which serves as a broad archive of censored and overlooked media spanning from South Asia to North Africa.
In recent developments, the Hispanic Society in New York has acquired a rare painting by Wifredo Lam that, according to the museum director, had been overlooked by scholars. Moreover, the trustees of a famous West Coast artist residency, who include Ghislaine Maxwell’s nephew, reportedly visited Epstein’s Island, though this might not be entirely surprising news. On a historical note, it appears that dice might date back 6,000 years earlier than previously thought. These stories and more are covered below. —Lisa Yin Zhang, associate editor
