cover image Donald Judd Writings

Donald Judd Writings

Donald Judd, edited by Flavin Judd. Judd Foundation and David Zwirner, $39.95 trade paper (1056p) ISBN 978-1-94170-135-5

An editor’s note to this vital and powerful compendium of the late contemporary artist Judd’s written work states that any categorization would run “counter to his insistence on maintaining openness.” Thus the collection of essays, reviews, letters, statements, notes, and diary entries is ordered only chronologically, a structure that reveals Judd’s development as an artist. Judd quickly moves from reviewing exhibitions of other artists to complaining about the system of museums, dealers, and galleries that wields so much power. In a 1977 essay, Judd explains why he wants to establish a foundation so that his work will have a permanent home. Consideration of the buildings and installations he constructs in Marfa, Tex., occupies a large part of his writings after 1985. Throughout his writing, Judd champions other artists he admires, including Dan Flavin, Josef Albers, and Richard Paul Lohse. Judd also returns to political concerns again and again, searching for an equilibrium between the artist and society. The book itself is a beautiful tactile object and any Judd fan will surely want to pick it up. Color photos. (Nov.)