If you ask artists, art critics, and creative individuals about their favorite book, one title often rises to the top: Leanne Shapton’s “Important Artifacts…” from 2009. Structured like a fictional auction catalog, the volume delves into much more than mere objects to be auctioned off. Within the 300-plus objects lies the love story of Lenore and Harold—or rather, their end. Shapton succeeds in revisiting one of the most enduring narratives in history—boy meets girl, boy leaves girl—in a bittersweet way. After being out of print for a long time, the book has now been republished. Next Wednesday(17.01.2024), Friederike Schilbach from Aufbau Verlag and Thomas Fischer are inviting you to his gallery to celebrate the new edition. Similar to many auctions of famous estates, Shapton’s fantasy auction comprises not just recordless items but sentimental memorabilia. The catalog begins with a cocktail napkin bearing Leonore’s email address and their first photos together, depicting the couple newly in love. Subsequent entries include books, items of clothing, and a collection of salt and pepper shakers stolen as souvenirs from various restaurants. You get to know Lenore and Harold’s idiosyncrasies, read their shopping lists, and love letters.

Leanne Shapton, known for her work as a recipe columnist for the New York Times, and Harold, a photographer who spends more time traveling than at home, both have taste and humor. They wear Helmut Lang and Rachel Comey, read Virginia Woolf and Henry James. The objects reveal how their relationship has evolved over the years, from postcards forming the words “Miss you very much” to relationship guides and a Venice travel guide where Leonore anticipates the end of their relationship in handwritten notes (“cried in the shower”). Shapton enlisted her friends as fictional lovers: author Sheila Heti and graphic artist Paul Sahre. The posed spontaneous shots of the two were taken by photographer Jason Fulford. Shapton proves that it often doesn’t take more than a few sober lines and photos to provide a deep and sometimes wonderfully voyeuristic insight into the ups and downs of a relationship. This collaborative, multimodal, unconventional approach characterizes much of Shapton’s work. Illustrator, writer, and artist are not just job titles for her; they are integral to her identity. After working as the art director of the Op-Ed page of the New York Times for a long time, she has focused more on her watercolors in recent years. Thomas Fischer will be showcasing a selection in his gallery until mid-February. Shapton also traces the spirit of things in these pictures. Based on photos found on sales platforms like eBay, she examines the visual language of everyday objects. Shapton breathes a quiet elegance into the unflatteringly photographed pieces, awakening desires that bric-a-brac, stuffed animals, and items of clothing generally lack. She presents the items with the same loving gaze that their owners once shared. In the end, you can’t help but fall in love with Shapton’s works.

Text: Laura Storfner / Photos: Sophie Doering

Galerie Thomas Fischer, Mulackstr.14, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Thur–Sat 12–18h and after appointment.

Leanne Shapton: Painted from pictures 18.01.–24.02.2024. Opening & book presentation Wed 17.01.2024 19–21h.

“Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry” 2023

@shaptonia
@aufbau_verlage