Dan's Papers - July 4, 2008 -

Jeremy Sanders, director of Glenn Horowitz Bookseller in East Hampton, says it's not often that people walk in off the street and drop $25,000 on a book - but it's definitely possible.

The beach read that could cost you as much as a new car or one-month South Fork summer rental? A first edition copy of The Catcher in the Rye, complete with a note announcing the book's release from the author to his former girlfriend's father on The New Yorker stationery, and signed "Jerry Salinger." This literary collectible, along with others, like Nabakov's memoir with a small butterfly doodled by the novelist himself (an avid butterfly enthusiast who actually wrote Lolita during butterfly-collecting trips in the western United States) is on display alongside $50 copies of the likes of Wrestling with Gay Guys and Cycle Sluts.

"I like to show the high and low," said Sanders. "It deflates the high-culture feeling and also inflates the anonymous vernacular of pop culture, making it a valid expression of human behavior. Each is interesting, but they're more interesting together."

In addition to collectible classics, Glenn Horowitz features a large revolving selection of contemporary art and photography books, dating from the pop culture advent of the 1960s to now, and including those designed by artists. Sanders believes books as an art medium is underestimated, and claims many people still have difficulty accepting that some artists actually create and consider books themselves to be works of art. To that end, "To me, there's no strict delineation between the gallery and bookstore," said Sanders.

The gallery's contemporary art and related books are showcased in the same manner as its high-low literature pairings. "The most interesting artists in the last 60 years have been influenced by music, politics and literary movements," said Sanders. "Because we're a gallery and so many artists are playing off media and culture, we make choices that inform that work. The books are interesting, but they really resonate when they relate to the artwork hanging on walls." Sanders feels that this also firmly grounds the art in a cultural context, making it more accessible and relevant to everyone.

This contemporary focus is the current stage of what seems to have been a natural evolution for Glenn Horowitz. After opening in 1992, then-director Andrew Roth devoted the space to photography and exhibitions of vintage photographs and some of the most artistically successful photography books of the 20th century. When John McWhinnie took over, he expanded the focus to include art and design, specializing in mid-century culture from Bauhaus to punk. Sanders assumed directorship 14 months ago, and through a unique selection of books, artwork and special events, has been striving to blend the East End and greater contemporary art communities.

The gallery's current exhibition, "Matthew Cusick: From What I've Read," features work bound to the artist's personal history, specifically the historical, literary and religious texts of his parochial school education. On July 19, the gallery will host a book release party for Wives, Wheels and Weapons, which includes excerpts from James Frey's latest novel, Bright Shiny Morning, photographs by Terry Richardson and a dust jacket designed by Richard Prince. Exhibitions and events will continue through the fall and winter.

"I'm really trying to turn this into a year-round space, and make it more locally oriented," said Sanders. "The area is filled with talent. It would be a shame to not have a local focus. It's nice to always refer to the greats, to Warhol and de Kooning - but let's also look at all the great people who are out here now."

Glenn Horowitz Bookseller is located at 87 Newtown Lane in East Hampton. For more information, call 631-324-5511 or visit www.ghbookseller.com. Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

Tricia Rayburn is the author of The Melting of Maggie Bean (Simon and Schuster, 2007) and Maggie Bean Stays Afloat (Simon and Schuster, 2008). Thoughts? Ideas? tricia@danspapers.com.