Middle Plane's eighth issue is here, and it's a memorandum on the current state of modernity and an attempt to figure out what the hell 'modern' even means?!

We've turned to artists and intellectuals in our quest to define the word and have received many a thoughtful treatise in return.

Marina Abramović and Willem Dafoe are photographed by the always modern Juergen Teller, and chat fresh approaches to classical artforms with Dan Thawley. Hans Ulrich Obrist and Alvaro Barrington unpack modernity in the artist's work, and what exhibitions need to be today in order to remain relevant. And Urs Fischer invites his friend Awol Erizku to his LA home to contemplate what modernity feels like, and what it promises.

As always, you can expect pages on pages of gorgeous editorials, with fashion stories from such venerable talent as Angela Hill, Sam Rock, Jamie Hawkesworth, Fumiko Imano, Tørbjørn Rodland, and Tamara Rothstein. Contributions from artists Marc Isaacs, Walter Pfeiffer, and Gelitin sit side-by-side with textual offerings from the likes of Helmut Lang, Kengo Kuma, Paul Elliman, Isabelle Huppert, Alexa Chung and The White Pube.

If you've been wondering 'What is modern?' We have some answers for you.

+ A VERY exclusive sticker sheet for some extra fun

368pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover, 2024

Middle Plane Issue No. 7 is a celebration of nightlife, of joyful crowds and city streets, and of much-needed fun.

This issue features contributions from various contemporary artists for whom night-time activity has been a source of inspiration. Drawing on different scenes and venues, we explore partying from the perspective of the individual, the group, and the residue.

Contributors include: Mark Leckey shot by Alasdair McLellan and styled by Max Pearmain (and in conversation with Akeem Smith on the topics of music/art/'shrooms), Bruce Gilden's view of girls eating kebabs on their way home (dressed by Katie Burnett, in couture, of course), the lucky so-and-sos who get to party with Hedi Slimane, a walking-bar as seen by Rosie Marks, Vanessa Beecroft in visual dialogue with her daughter Angelica, and loads more.

360 pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover, 2023

Middle Plane Issue No. 6 is a collaboration with Yoshitomo Nara, the celebrated Japanese artist is an internationally renowned pioneer in contemporary art.

This issue explores the rarely seen personal side of Nara's practice, as well as the recurring presence of children and the powerful influence they have had upon his work.

Middle Plane's contributors went to Japan and beyond to tell the story of Nara and his artistic themes.

Issue includes Fumiko Imano (with her imaginary twin) visiting Nara and the Kunamitsu kids, the legendary fashion street magazine FRUiTS, Jack Day, The Row by Letty Schmiterlow, Clémentine Schneidermann with the teenagers of Wales, Osamu Yokonami recreating his signature children's portraiture, Rinko Kawauchi, TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist by Takashi Homma and more.

336 pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover, 2022

Middle Plane Issue No. 5 is a dedication to David Hockney, the prolific British artist whose work spans eight decades.

The issue reads a visual interpretation of Hockney’s artistic practice and personal image, made up of photo series and new works by different creatives.

Known for his bold use of colour and embrace of innovation and modernity, our collaborators have also explored themes such as male form and sexuality, domestic spaces, swimming pools, flowers, and Bradford.

Contributors include: Anthony Turner, Bottega Veneta by Blommers & Schumm, Bruno Wollheim, Ilya Lipkin, archival Martin Parr, Paul Elliman, Roe Ethridge, Sam Rock and Will Scarborough.

232 pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover, 2022

Middle Plane Issue No. 4 is a collaboration between Middle Plane and the estate of the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, in celebration of their lasting legacy and impact on the creative landscape.

The issue reads as a posthumous visual interview made up of photo series and works by different creatives in response to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artistry. Techniques such as wrapping, draping, color blocking, and experimentation with scale are employed by our contributing artists.

Contributors: Duane Michals, Camille Waddington, Takashi Homma, Wolfgang Volz, Jack Day, Yohji Yamamoto by William Waterworth and Hannes Hetta, Ilya Lipkin, Chanel beauty story by Thom Walker, Suffo Moncloa, Kenzo by Jet Swan and Agata Belcen, Nigel Shafran and more.

This issue also features contributions from several international galleries including Maureen Paley, Michael Werner Gallery and Sadie Coles.

+ An exclusive Poster of Christo’s Wedding Dress (1967).

*Limited number of copies available*

276 pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover GRA board, 2021

Maggi’s Mag is a collaboration between Middle Plane magazine and British artist Maggi Hambling creating a dialogue between art and fashion. The issue reads as a visual interview made up of photo series presented in a non-linear format that sheds light on the artist in varied ways – at times intimidating and confrontational, at others generous and humorous. From drawing on her vices and behaviors to exploring the unusual juxtaposition of fashion and art, the editorials include a series of intimate photographs of Hambling, cinematic stills Inspired by her love of the sea, a series that draws on her penchant for meringues, and a study on form inspired by Maggi’s life drawings.

Save the elephants here!

Contributors: Juergen Teller, Sam Rock, Isabelle Wenzel, Paul Kooiker, Katie Burnett, James Cahill, Marlborough Gallery and more.

176 pp, 240 × 315 mm, softcover, 2020

We are proud to present new fashion editorials as a response to the work of artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres.

The issue is comprised of four separate and bound editorials and The Silver Post newspaper, which can be found enclosed in an envelope. Each editorial responds to a specific artwork or body of work by Gonzalez-Torres, addressing manifold topics such as capitalism and democracy, isolation and togetherness, loss and renewal, and the celebration of life in response to difficult realities.

While Gonzalez-Torres referred to himself as American, he was born in Guaimaro, Cuba, in 1957 and raised in Puerto Rico. He moved to New York in 1979 and died of AIDS-related causes in 1996. Felix Gonzalez-Torres employed simple, everyday materials and a reduced aesthetic vocabulary reminiscent of both Minimalism and Conceptual Art to address themes such as love and loss, sickness and rejuvenation, gender and sexuality.

Contributors: Charlie Engman, Benjamin Lennox, Adrian Samson, Jenna Westra, Alexis Roche, Pat Boguslawski, Lyson Marchessault and more.

293 × 373 mm, brown cardboard envelope with self adhesive closure, white silkscreen, 2020

Middle Plane Issue No. 1 was conceived with a single idea: to create a dialogue between the conceptual artist Vadim Zakharov and the fashion world. There are no off-bounds topics. Vadim Zakharov is an artist who expands his media across all fields from painting, drawing and photography to video, performance and installation, making a printed issue was both a challenge and a game. Curated by Chiara Valci Mazzara and Gabriela A. Covblic / fontaine b.

Contributors: Mark Peckmezian, Charlie Engman, Peter Puklus, Udo Kittelmann, Tim Gutt, David Elliot.

Buy One Get One Casting in Paris print for FREE.

208 pp, 220 × 280 mm, softcover, 2019

Middle Plane Issue No. 0 is preoccupied with process. Here we present a preparation – a work-in-progress so that we might open a frank dialogue with the reader with a new level of transparency. It represents a movement, where the lines between ego, megalomania and delusion break down. It is for you to fill in the missing gaps. This is an object that is not complete.

Contributors: Paul Kooiker, Hugo Comte, A.I.R Gallery, Betye Saar, Nicolai Howalt, Xavier Mas.

292 pp, 200 × 270 mm, softcover, 2018