The delicate dance of nature awakening

Photograph of interior of San Vitaly, from Springtime in Byzantium by luke kurtis
Photograph from Springtime in Byzantium by luke kurtis
How to see art and architecture without leaving home

I’m so excited to tell you about my newest project, Springtime in Byzantium. This book was initially scheduled for release last year but was delayed by the pandemic, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to take the project to the next level. It’s what happens when you give an artist more time—we’re bound to come up with another idea! (That’s not always a good thing for editors, but when you are the editor… well, that’s the way things go).

So this announcement is not only about the new book but also a new postcard set and three prints featuring new designs based on photos from the book.

This project has been many years in development and is near and dear to my heart. It’s a bit different from what I’ve published before. It’s also the first title by me in the bd Artists’ Books collection. Up until now, I’ve focused on my role as editor and designer of the series. But now, I am joining the ranks to give you something of my own.

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Michael Harren on animals, grief, and his multimedia marvels 🐓😭🎹

Both of our bellies full of watermelon, I sat down with Michael Harren to talk about The Animal Book, the book that archives The Animal Show, which in turn archives Michael’s multimedia artistic stylings, animal activism, and the culmination of the two: his vibrant, evoking artivism. I was eager to hear about the melding of such diverse methods, but also what lies behind them—the man, the emotion, the existential uncertainty. Michael shared his grief and joys with me in a humorous, self-effacing way.

The Animal Book by Michael Harren
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Announcing Here Nor There by Sam Rosenthal

bd-studios.com is pleased to announce our latest book, Here Nor There by Sam Rosenthal. Here Nor There presents the artists’ recent body of work of the same name which explores the confluence of conceptual photography, Internet technology, and queer identity. The book will be available at a book launch event at the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division on 21 September at 7 PM. Rosenthal will also present a talk about his work followed by a brief Q&A session. Copies of the book will be available at the event or you can order online.

bd Artists’ Books: Photography 📷, performance 🎹, painting 🎨, and beyond!

The bd Library is growing! Following our earlier releases by Michael Tice and Michael Harren, the most recent title in our line of Artists’ Books is Just One More by Jonathan David Smyth.

Below is an excerpt from a BBC Radio Ulster interview with Jonathan about Just One More.

Michael Bradley: It’s just a normal phone camera, isn’t it? Or do you use any special filters or equipment or anything?

Jonathan David Smyth: No, it’s just my smartphone. I use the camera within the phone itself. And it’s important that you’re asking if there are any filters because I think sometimes people may think I do use a filter. For me, coming out of this idea of using apps to make things look ”better” was actually an inspiration for me to take these photographs. I wanted to show that you don’t actually have to use filters in order to make a good photograph.

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