We Need to Talk

Special subjects require special book formats. We Need to Talk bursts open the conventions of the bound book, consisting of 10 posters that, folded twice, become 80 single pages. Their contents center exclusively around the man who has dominated the media since January 2017: Donald J. Trump. As the 45th American president, within a brief period of time he has created more confusion than any of his predecessors—whether through his disparaging remarks about immigrants and women, instigating the construction of a wall along the Mexican border or by denying climate science. The New York–based Petzel Gallery took on Trump even before his surprise victory. This collection of works constitutes a platform on which artists and visitors can enter into a dialogue about issues concerning civil rights, immigration and the environment. Videos, paintings, drawings and installations capture this historical moment, about which we will be talking for a long time to come.