Mousse #83

Conceived as a special, book-like issue rather than a conventional magazine number, this edition focuses on a group of influential yet often under-represented artists whose practices have significantly shaped contemporary artistic languages.

Structured as a compact anthology, it assembles extended essays, archival materials, conversations, and critical reflections dedicated to figures frequently described as “artists’ artists.” Among the artists discussed are Julie Becker, Dara Birnbaum, Andrea Branzi, Vaginal Davis, Lala Rukh, Rosemary Mayer, and Jean-Frédéric Schnyder. Contributions by critics, curators, and writers — including Michelle Kuo, Hito Steyerl, Amelia Jones, Stuart Comer, and others — situate these practices within broader debates on contemporary art, historiography, and cultural production. Rather than surveying current trends, the issue foregrounds artistic genealogies and forms of influence, examining how certain practices resonate across generations and disciplines. The emphasis lies on critical writing and sustained engagement with artistic work, positioning the publication as both a reflective archive and a contribution to ongoing discourse in contemporary art.