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Nothing Is Lost: Selected Essays
From the late editor, writer, and critic, one of the great chroniclers of the art, fashion, and celebrity scenes: an expansive collection of thirty-five essays that offer an intimate look into the worlds of some of the most important and well-known artists, designers, and actors of our time.
For more than three decades, Ingrid Sischy’s profiles and critical essays have been admired for their keen observation and playful style. Many of the pieces that appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair from the 1980s to 2015 are gathered here for the first time, including her masterful profiles of Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart, Miuccia Prada, Calvin Klein, Jeff Koons, Jean Pigozzi, Alice Neel, and Francesco Clemente, among others, as well as her exclusive interview with John Galliano after his career nose-dived in 2011. Whether writing about a young Alexander McQueen, the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, Sebastião Salgado, Cindy Sherman, or Bob Richardson, or the Japanese musical theater group Takarazuka Revue, Sischy’s close attention to the unexpectedly telling detail results in vividly crafted, incisive portraits of individuals and their works.
Here is a unique collection that gives readers unprecedented access to a dazzling range of artists from one of the greatest cultural critics of a generation.
For more than three decades, Ingrid Sischy’s profiles and critical essays have been admired for their keen observation and playful style. Many of the pieces that appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair from the 1980s to 2015 are gathered here for the first time, including her masterful profiles of Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart, Miuccia Prada, Calvin Klein, Jeff Koons, Jean Pigozzi, Alice Neel, and Francesco Clemente, among others, as well as her exclusive interview with John Galliano after his career nose-dived in 2011. Whether writing about a young Alexander McQueen, the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, Sebastião Salgado, Cindy Sherman, or Bob Richardson, or the Japanese musical theater group Takarazuka Revue, Sischy’s close attention to the unexpectedly telling detail results in vividly crafted, incisive portraits of individuals and their works.
Here is a unique collection that gives readers unprecedented access to a dazzling range of artists from one of the greatest cultural critics of a generation.
592 pages, Hardcover
First published November 20, 2018
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393 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 2, 2021
a BEAST of a collection, but overall a great and very informative read.
i have never voluntarily stepped foot into this genre/style of writing before, and i am extremely grateful that this was my introduction to that literary world!
learned a lot while being entertained by beautiful photos and beautiful writing (thanks to the late ingrid sischy). would definitely recommend if you are into fashion, art, and journalism!
(however, many times i was left disappointed when the author would write about a certain art piece specifically, describe it with intense detail, but then the publisher didn’t include it in the novel. not sure if this was a publication conflict though, so i can’t stay mad haha)
i have never voluntarily stepped foot into this genre/style of writing before, and i am extremely grateful that this was my introduction to that literary world!
learned a lot while being entertained by beautiful photos and beautiful writing (thanks to the late ingrid sischy). would definitely recommend if you are into fashion, art, and journalism!
(however, many times i was left disappointed when the author would write about a certain art piece specifically, describe it with intense detail, but then the publisher didn’t include it in the novel. not sure if this was a publication conflict though, so i can’t stay mad haha)
May 15, 2019
I was expecting this to be more "Interview" magazine based on the New York Times Book Reviews December 23rd 2018 edition. It's not. It's full blown essays of a bunch of artists. Some I know of in passing (Robert Maplethorp) and others that I don't.
The only two that seem "Interview"-esque is Kristen Stewart and Nicole Kidman and those are "Vanity Fair" pieces, not interviews.
It's an alright book, but a lot of it wasn't for me. I actually gave up after about half the essays. Especially since a few folks (Maplethorp, Prada) have another piece selected, so you get a lot of "wait, haven't I already read about them?" Despite the pieces being from like the 80's and these ones being in the 90's or 00's.
The only two that seem "Interview"-esque is Kristen Stewart and Nicole Kidman and those are "Vanity Fair" pieces, not interviews.
It's an alright book, but a lot of it wasn't for me. I actually gave up after about half the essays. Especially since a few folks (Maplethorp, Prada) have another piece selected, so you get a lot of "wait, haven't I already read about them?" Despite the pieces being from like the 80's and these ones being in the 90's or 00's.
January 7, 2020
"Try to be one of the people on whom nothing is lost" -Henry James, The Art of Fiction, 1884
Absolutely brilliant compilation of essays from the late, great Ingrid Sischy. If that name sounds familiar to you, it should. Ms. Sischy held positions as the Editor in Chief of Artforum (1980-1988) and Interview Magazine (1989-2008), as well as Consulting Editor at The New Yorker (1998-1996) and Vanity Fair (1997-2015). Her insight into art, fashion, photography, film and culture is always spot-on and often educational without ever being didactic. The forward to this book is by the artist Lori Anderson, a personal friend of Ingrid's and it, too, is engrossing reading. The book is lengthy at 500+ pages, but well worth poring over in its entirety. A variety of subjects are addressed: Photographers, artists, actresses, and even a bit of personal delving into what it was like growing up in South Africa, Ms. Sischy's native country. Her honesty, wit, and perspective on myriad topics is always colorful and fascinating. Sadly, she died in 2015; the loss to the art world and journalism was profound. Her voice lives on in these incredibly compelling essays. Clearly, little if anything was ever lost on her.
Absolutely brilliant compilation of essays from the late, great Ingrid Sischy. If that name sounds familiar to you, it should. Ms. Sischy held positions as the Editor in Chief of Artforum (1980-1988) and Interview Magazine (1989-2008), as well as Consulting Editor at The New Yorker (1998-1996) and Vanity Fair (1997-2015). Her insight into art, fashion, photography, film and culture is always spot-on and often educational without ever being didactic. The forward to this book is by the artist Lori Anderson, a personal friend of Ingrid's and it, too, is engrossing reading. The book is lengthy at 500+ pages, but well worth poring over in its entirety. A variety of subjects are addressed: Photographers, artists, actresses, and even a bit of personal delving into what it was like growing up in South Africa, Ms. Sischy's native country. Her honesty, wit, and perspective on myriad topics is always colorful and fascinating. Sadly, she died in 2015; the loss to the art world and journalism was profound. Her voice lives on in these incredibly compelling essays. Clearly, little if anything was ever lost on her.
April 5, 2019
I haven't followed art since 1970, when I tried to read Artforum (which Ingrid Sischy later edited), but Gilbert & George, conceptual art, and all the pretentious financial claptrap sent me packing. Fascinated by both the technology of photography and its ability to make those devoid of artistic talent feel creative, I based a career on it. Though delighted by its practical applications, I found it intellectually shallow and disappointing, despite its successful promotion and anointment as Art by John Szarkowski of MOMA.
Sischy wrote with great honesty, clarity, and beauty. I ripped through this book and loved every word. She did get photography, and I certainly respect her arguments, though I often disagree. Her profiles of artists like Jeff Koons are funny and fascinating. And she dips into the vacant underworld of fashion with profiles of the extremely talented Calvin Klein, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen that are strictly addicts only. A couple of movie stars, Nicole Kidman and Kristin Stewart, also made it in. Kidman is interesting.
Sischy wrote with great honesty, clarity, and beauty. I ripped through this book and loved every word. She did get photography, and I certainly respect her arguments, though I often disagree. Her profiles of artists like Jeff Koons are funny and fascinating. And she dips into the vacant underworld of fashion with profiles of the extremely talented Calvin Klein, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen that are strictly addicts only. A couple of movie stars, Nicole Kidman and Kristin Stewart, also made it in. Kidman is interesting.
April 28, 2024
Ingrid Sischy died in 2015, so these essays weren’t exactly hot off the presses. But if you missed them the first time around, you should take the opportunity to read them now.
Sischy’s fame came from her work as an editor at Art Forum, Interview, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. This collection showcased her wonderful and insightful writing .
I enjoyed all the articles. Her subjects described a wide range of contemporary art scenes (some unexpected). Sischy took you backstage, literally and figuratively, giving the reader a thorough view. Although she proved to be knowledgeable about many things, she particularly shined while discussing photography.
Her stories never felt dated, even though she might talk about someone whose death came after the essays were first published. Some careers she touted would later zoom skywards. Others would plummet in failure.
I ended up knowing a great deal more than I started, with a huge list of names to further research. Sischy even perked my interest in a sculptor I previously despised. She made me love my favorites even more.
Sischy’s fame came from her work as an editor at Art Forum, Interview, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. This collection showcased her wonderful and insightful writing .
I enjoyed all the articles. Her subjects described a wide range of contemporary art scenes (some unexpected). Sischy took you backstage, literally and figuratively, giving the reader a thorough view. Although she proved to be knowledgeable about many things, she particularly shined while discussing photography.
Her stories never felt dated, even though she might talk about someone whose death came after the essays were first published. Some careers she touted would later zoom skywards. Others would plummet in failure.
I ended up knowing a great deal more than I started, with a huge list of names to further research. Sischy even perked my interest in a sculptor I previously despised. She made me love my favorites even more.
July 4, 2019
challenging, evocative, insightful
August 8, 2019
They're arty and dishy
These essays by Sischy.
These essays by Sischy.
Read
September 19, 2019ok, did not finish it
June 25, 2023
Some good moments here, but really drags at 500+ pages - was every essay Selected? There's no reason not to skip around and avoid the essays that bore you- maybe I'll follow my own advice next time.
April 20, 2021
As a disclaimer, before reading this I had no clue who Ingrid Sischy was or what she wrote about. The title caught my eye in the library one day and I figured why not.
I haven't read art and fashion criticism or celebrity interviews before, but the tone present throughout all of the pieces was a joy. I didn't know who Ingrid Sischy was, but I am now familiar with how she writes. It felt like pop culture history with perspective, and I enjoyed reading it in bite-sized pieces.
I haven't read art and fashion criticism or celebrity interviews before, but the tone present throughout all of the pieces was a joy. I didn't know who Ingrid Sischy was, but I am now familiar with how she writes. It felt like pop culture history with perspective, and I enjoyed reading it in bite-sized pieces.
September 8, 2019
Fabulous essays by a brilliant writer.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews