Here stands Artillery Magazine a testament to Los Angeles’s vibrant art scene. It’s more than just a magazine. It’s a voice for contemporary art. Artillery Magazine began in 2006. Tulsa Kinney and Charles Rappleye founded it. They were former LA Weekly staff members. They wanted an alternative to the “stodgy, art-mag paradigm”. Kinney slyly referenced the often academic “artspeak”. This “artspeak” filled gallery press releases and other art publications.
Artillery’s features and reviews are often L.A.-centric. But they increasingly cover the arts worldwide. Contributors are based in New York. They are also in San Francisco, Dallas, Berlin, and London. The magazine appears every two months. It is available in print and online. You can find the print version in bookstores and museum shops. Art galleries also carry it. The print circulation is about 50000. It has a readership of about 35000.
Artillery hosts public events. These include live debates. Poetry readings also take place. Book signings happen in major cities and at art fairs.
One Artillery feature stands out. It was the last interview with Mike Kelley. Kelley committed suicide that same month. Kinney wrote the article. It revealed Kelley’s depression. It also showed his disenchantment with the commercial art world.
Artillery is known for its artist interviews and reviews. These include Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Kehinde Wiley is another. Jim Shaw also features. Others include Elliott Hundley and Amadour. Joan Didion has been interviewed. So have Francesca Woodman and William Kentridge. Tala Madani and Wolfgang Tillmans appear too. Abraham Cruzvillegas is another artist featured.
Looking through the magazine, you will find a range of articles. Amy Gerstler wrote about Dynasty Handbag’s “Frenzied Satire”. There is also an article about alternative spaces in Los Angeles. Emma Webster is featured in an “Artist Takeover”. Danny Fox answers questions about his top three beers. He also discusses his favorite songs.
Artillery covers art reviews too. Nadya Tolokonnikova was reviewed at Honor Fraser. Barbara Carrasco was at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles. Vanessa Hernández Cruz was reviewed at Highways Performance Space. Prima Sakuntabhai was reviewed at The Fulcrum Press. Joseph Beuys was reviewed at The Broad. Olivia Mole was reviewed at Gattopardo. Jingze Du was at Steve Turner. T.J. Dedeaux-Norris was at Walter Maciel Gallery. Hiroshi Sugimoto was at Lisson Gallery. Lauren Bon was at Honor Fraser.
As you leave Artillery Magazine remember its impact. It gives a voice to artists. It brings art to the public. It is a vital part of Los Angeles’s cultural landscape.