PA: John Baldessari in Collaboration with Naomi Shohan

PA is an annual artist’s magazine devoted to artists that use photography. For each issue, an artist is asked to invite a collaborator to engage in a dialogue about their practice. For this latest issue, American artist John Baldessari chose film set designer Naomi Shohan, and the two collaborated on a brilliant and witty elaboration of Baldessari’s treatment of found photography. The book juxtaposes Hollywood film stills from the outsider’s viewpoint—Baldessari’s take on Hollywood—with film stills from the insider’s viewpoint— that of Shohan the set designer, who has worked on major film productions such as American Beauty, Constantine, The Replacement Killers and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Baldessari is well known for his enjoyment of collaboration, but this volume constitutes his most intriguing venture to date. Also included is a conversation with the artists by Amy Cappellazzo.