Peter Halley and Bob Nickas published the debut issue of Index in 1996, and continued putting out the magazine until 2006. Index featured a cast of indie culture’s Who’s Who — Harmony Korine, Hedi Slimane, Jena Malone, Scarlett Johansson, Stephen Malkmus — with its covers shot by the likes of Wolfgang Tillmans and Juergen Teller. Its particular slice of history is inventively retold in a new book, “Index A to Z,” which eschews simple chronology in favor of eclectic categories, from Advertising to Zeitgeist (the latter including some classic party shots of Ryan McGinley and infamous literary hoax artist “JT Leroy”). In advance of tonight’s book release party at Karma in New York, we asked Peter Halley his thoughts on print’s future, indie culture, and HBO’s “Girls.”
What’s more difficult: making art or making a magazine?
I never thought of making art as difficult. To me, it’s more like play. It’s about being — as they say — in the zone. It’s called artwork, but it would be better if it were called art play. Making a magazine is definitely more complex. When Andy Warhol said, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art,” I didn’t think he was talking about money. I thought he was really talking about how challenging it is to work with other people. People, unlike cadmium red, are different every day. With Index, I was the publisher and the de facto creative director. The challenge was to chart a course among all the great ideas the contributors were bringing to the magazine without imposing my own vision too much.
If you had to organize an intimate dinner party in 2014 for four or five previous Index cover stars, who might you choose?
I’ll let you choose between Parker Posey, Juergen Teller, Isabella Rossellini, Amy and David Sedaris, Kathleen Hanna, Scarlett Johansson, Helmut Newton, Udo Kier, Daniel Day-Lewis, Morrissey… and John Waters. That’s what it’s like to run a magazine.
Do you feel as if Index captured a particular moment in the culture that is now lost, especially in New York? Or is that same independent spirit still alive (and perhaps just hiding behind a luxury condo)?
In 1996, our model for the magazine was definitely pre-web — even though the website eventually became an integral part of Index. Even then, we were dealing with the transmogrification of capitalism that defines New York today. But Index aspired to cover not just New York, but everything that was going on everywhere. I define “indie” as any project that uses commercial means of distribution, not to make money, but to say something meaningful. I believe that’s still going on all over the world.
What advice would you offer someone with the crazy idea of starting up a print publication in the 21st century?
Print is still important. Especially for publications in which photography is crucial, such as art books. I believe that beautifully produced books and magazines will continue to prosper because of their tactile appeal. Successful print publications will tend to be more high-end. At the same time, anyone printing books and magazines needs to use a multi-platform strategy that incorporates the right mix of the web, events, special projects, social media, etc. It’s essential that the strategy be just right for the content.
What magazines do you personally subscribe to or read regularly?
Well, I am going to namecheck Modern Painters because its associate editor, Wendy Vogel, did such an amazing job editing this book, “Index A to Z.” If Wendy were around in 2006, Index might still be in print. I also subscribe to all the usual stuff: Vanity Fair, Vogue, W, Flashart, i-D, the Bangor Daily News, and lots of design magazines.
What’s the last exhibition you saw that really left its mark on you?
Fortunately, exhibitions don’t usually leave any visible marks on me. But I thought Ann Craven’s exhibition at Maccarone in November was fantastic.
Index hosted (and still hosts the archive of) “Delusional Downtown Divas,” starring Lena Dunham, along with Joana Avillez and your daughter Isabel. Do you watch “Girls”? If so, which of the four principles — Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna, or Jessa — is Peter Halley most like?
I’m 60 years old. It’s really hard to identify with the issues that four 20-somethings are dealing with! But I am definitely a big fan of Lena’s. I first met Lena when she was 3 weeks old. She was on a play date with Isabel.
