Momus “Best Of”: Vol. 1

It’s been a good ten months. Since October 2014, Momus has quickly become a trusted reference for those wishing to reflect on contemporary art at a slightly slower pace, and with greater focus, than our online platform typically allows. We’ve published features, interviews, and reviews that have been widely read and shared, and cited by peer publications including artnet News, Hyperallergic, LA Times, Daily Serving, and Art F City. We’ve benefited from the support of esteemed arts patrons including Bruce Bailey and Ydessa Hendeles; and notes of endorsement from artists and writers including Frances Stark, Chris Kraus, Douglas Coupland, and the editor of Tate Etc., Simon Grant. The site’s initial partnerships include a content-sharing relationship with artnet News, and a main media-partnership with Feature Art Fair. Further, Momus has recently engaged in a relationship with Tate Etc. It’s been a good ten months that has, at times, felt like a very long year. So we’re taking a small break, and in so doing, leaving you with a compilation that surveys some of our best-read and most valued content.

In preparation for this brief hiatus, August 24-September 6, 2015, I remembered the wealth of tremendous talent we’ve had the luxury to commission, edit, and publish. From Andrew Berardini’s well-loved “How To” series to a frank, slightly bawdy conversation between Sheila Heti and John Currin, criticism – in all its potential and pliability – has been upheld and regularly challenged on our site. We demonstrate our appreciation of our writers by paying above-industry-average rates, something we intend to increase in the coming year.

Patronage has been crucial to this publication’s early success and ability to support its contributors. As we approach our first anniversary, and look to further increase our site’s content and raise our rates, we’re encouraging engaged individuals who share our vision for renewed reflection in evaluative criticism to offer a measure of support. It goes directly to our writers and design team and its value is reflected on the site. Visit our “Donate” page for more information on our patrons and how to contribute.

We look forward to the fall season, with a full calendar of thoughtful and timely articles slated for September 7^th and onward. See below for our 20 best-read and most talked-about articles to date.

—Sky Goodden, editor