Alex Katz on his Guggenheim retrospective | Under the Cover

Artforum editor in chief David Velasco joins Alex Katz in his Manhattan studio to discuss the making of “Alex Katz: Gathering,” a career retrospective at New York’s Guggenheim Museum encompassing eight decades of the artist’s masterful production. Katz also reflects on his first paintings of Ada, his friendship with Frank O’Hara, and more. Ada’s Black Sandals, 1987, graces the cover of the February issue.

Also in this issue: Four painters—Sam McKinniss, Amy Sillman, Jamian Juliano-Villani, and David Salle—reflect on the legacy of this unflagging paragon of technique and style.

Producer / Editor: Brian J. Green
Cinematographer: Alexandra Sapp + Brian J. Green

[robertmcpartland]

THAT'S how a painter talks. Still got it. Thank you Artforum too.

[mjjames]

Alex Katz, a bonafide treasure for over 5 decades.

[randyperdew]

Great interview, I've always admired his work.

[fallowfieldoutwest]

Figurative painters do indeed struggle somewhat in a space like the Guggenheim, but I feel that his bold portrayal of affect as inchoate surface bolsters his tableaux up for it

[mjjames]

Just the coolest guy and ever the work is astonishing

[JayBenedictBrown]

Love how he vacillates between utter self-depreciation and total immodesty. That might be something only an 80 year old can get away with.

[NoddinSummi-dn]

Hall Melissa Hernandez John Rodriguez Nancy

[TrustyIOM]

i've seen high schoolers make better looking art

[dr_shrinker]

What’s so great about this work? It’s not even on the level of kitsch. They’re just large.

[ChrisC-eikc]

This must be a mistake. The art is astonishingly laughable. This is as bad as printing money.