In the mail from Tod Lippy of Esopus—Subscribe. Get art.

Dear Friend of Esopus:

I have incredibly exciting news to share.

In 1992, not long after I moved to New York City, I went to see artist Robert Gober’s site-specific installation at the Dia Art Foundation. I was already a huge fan of Gober’s work, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply this haunting, intense exhibition would strike me on a personal level. It offered resounding proof of the transformative powers of the very best contemporary art, and it’s no understatement to say that Gober’s exhibition was a major factor in my decision to pursue a career in the arts, which ultimately led to the founding of Esopus.

With all of this in mind, I am thrilled to announce that Robert Gober has just created an extraordinary artwork exclusively for Esopus subscribers. This limited edition will be sent as a complimentary gift to all current subscribers of the magazine next month. (It takes the place of the upcoming fall issue, Esopus 19, whose publication has been postponed until spring 2013 to allow for a redesign of the magazine, as well as the creation of a brand-new Esopus website, which launches in November.)

Part of the impact of Gober’s work comes from its often surprising—and productively disorienting—use and juxtaposition of materials, and for that reason we have decided not to offer a description or image of the piece. A few basic facts: It will arrive in a cardboard mailer very similar to that used to deliver copies of the magazines to subscribers, and the edition size will be determined by the number of subscribers we have in our records the day production on the edition begins. PLEASE NOTE: The work is not for sale, and it will be available only to current subscribers.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a magnificent new work by one of the most acclaimed contemporary artists in the world, and I encourage those of you whose subscriptions have lapsed and haven’t renewed—as well as those who haven’t yet subscribed to the magazine—to do so at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Tod Lippy
Editor