A FIERCE Fight in the West Village

Local

It’s cold on the Christopher St. Pier in the winter time—not the kind of place you want to stand still after the sun sets and the wind whips off the Hudson. For a lot of New York City teenagers, however, the Greenwich Village waterfront is the best place to be in any weather.

What Kind of New Deal?

Express

All the talk about a "new" New Deal raises the question of how the contradictory New York legacy of the original one might guide us in the months ahead.

Terry Winters with Phong Bui, David Levi Strauss, and Peter Lamborn Wilson

Art

On the occasion of Terry Winters’ new exhibit Knotted Graphs, which comprises two new series of paintings and fourteen graphite drawings and will be on view at Matthew Marks Gallery on West 22nd street until January 24, 2009, the painter welcomed Rail publisher Phong Bui and consulting editors David Levi Strauss and Peter Lamborn Wilson on-site to talk about the new body of work.

Pipilotti Rist with Phong Bui

Art

Just a day before the opening of her commissioned multimedia installation Pour Your Body Out (7354 Cubic Meters), organized by Klaus Biesenbach, chief curator, Department of Media, which remains on view till February 2, 2009 at the MoMA’s atrium, Pipilotti Rist sat down with Rail publisher Phong Bui at the Museum Café to talk about her work.

Cordy Ryman with Phong Bui

Art

In the midst of preparation for his one-person exhibit at DCKT Gallery, (January 10–February 14, 2009) and a group show Organic Geometry at Nicole Klagsbrun (December 12–January 10, 2009) painter Cordy Ryman took a break from his Sunset Park studio to pay a visit to the Rail’s headquarters to talk with Publisher Phong Bui about his life and work.

The Brooklyn Rail’s Person of the Year 2008

Two thousand eight was a rather momentous year, not least for the startling cast of characters on its political stage. The starring role was played by a certain senator from Illinois, but his entrance into the spotlight really began in 2004. Launched in 2005, the Rail’s Person of the Year award has gone to the political figure who provided the most surprising drama of the year.

The Biggest Weapon in Northern Uganda

Music

Lucky Bosmic Otim, a popular musician from northern Uganda, is practically impossible to reach by phone. He has one, but it’s always turned off.

One Human Being at a Time: A Visit to Elizabeth Streb’s S.L.A.M.

Dance

Elizabeth Streb's company specializes in PopAction, a style she describes as "a mixture of slam dancing, exquisite and amazing human flight, and wild action sport."

Kane in Babel: notes

Theater

I was always aware that under similar circumstances at Sarah's age (she was 24) and so far from home I would not have been able to hold on to my equilibrium. It was too jarring: to be so misperceived for the work which is your heart.

Danielle and the Dyer

Fiction

It was snowing. It would always snow throughout the holidays. White billowing bluffs lined the village streets, while a glimmering of hoarfrost lay atop the sidewalk snow. Danielle slid her feet beneath the crispy coating.

The Brooklyn Rail’s Person of the Year 2008

Editor's Message

Two thousand eight was a rather momentous year, not least for the startling cast of characters on its political stage. The starring role was played by a certain senator from Illinois, but his entrance into the spotlight really began in 2004. Launched in 2005, the Rail’s Person of the Year award has gone to the political figure who provided the most surprising drama of the year.