Like any anthology, there's a range of media, styles, and genres represented. The creators also took whatever their formal prompt was from MoMA in very different directions -- some are personal recollections, others are more esoteric, some are straight-up fantasy. Regardless, though, as a reader, you do get a greater sense of these artists' relationship with art and museums. They don't just say, "Hey, I really like this particular artist and I enjoyed seeing their work in person." They talk about the connections and thought processes they had; in fact, there's very little discussion of any particular works at all.
I don't know that there's a recurring theme through everyone's work per se, but both Ben Passmore and Jon Allen touch on a key element about art and art museums in their respective pieces. In his introduction, Allen notes, "Going to an art museum with someone is a good way to get to know them. You get to see what they like and don't like, hear what's going on in their head when the day-to-day stuff is set aside and their mind is allowed to wander." Passmore, talking about his story specifically, says, "While she's listing critiques of her husband, it's clear she's also describing her feelings about the artwork." I think the two of them get very much to the heart of visiting an art museum. The artwork itself is only part of the equation; the other part is how each individual thinks and feels in the moments they are directly experiencing the piece. Not through a book or a documentary or a web gallery, but the actual piece itself. Hanging on the wall directly in front of them.
Or maybe it's not directly in front of them. Maybe they're off to the side.
Or on the other side of the room.
Maybe there's enough other people standing between them and the work that they can't even see the whole thing.
And what you think about a work is no more right or wrong than the next person. The reaction -- what's going on in your head -- is as much a part of the art as the brush strokes over the layers of paint. Many of the comics here celebrate that in various ways. You'll probably recognize some of the creators represented here -- some of the contributors I haven't already mentioned include Gabrielle Bell, Barbara Brandon-Croft, and Roz Chast -- while others you may not. I think there's many good reflections on art and art museums, particularly those that don't just house stuffy pieces by people who've been dead for centuries. As I said, there's little here speaking to specific pieces of art so you don't have to have visited MoMA to understand and appreciate where this is coming from.
Drawn to MoMA was edited by Alex Halberstadt and Arlette Hernandez, and published just this week by the Museum of Modern Art itself. Contributors include: Jon Allen, Gabrielle Bell, Barbara Brandon-Croft, Jessica Campbell, Roz Chast, Ted Closson, Liana Finck, Ali Fitzgerald, November Garcia, Anna Haifisch, Mari Kanstad Johnsen, Patrick Keck, Lee Lai, Ellen Lindner, John Vasquez Mejias, Danica Novgorodoff, Tommi Parrish, Ben Passmore, Weng Pixin, Anna Sarvira, Walter Scott, Bishakh Som, Karl Stevens, Chris Ware, and Erin Williams. You should be able to order it through most bookstores for $45.00 US, although if you're a member of MoMA and order it directly through them, it only costs $40.50 US.
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