Playground Rules

A new publication gives artists their own sandbox

July 9, 2007—As most magazines rush to bulk up their online presence (a topic we’re somewhat familiar with), photographer Zach Gold and stylist Julie Ragolia are moving in the opposite direction. In fact, their new, limited-edition publication, The Playground, couldn’t be any less Webby: It consists of 50 unbound pages of original artwork, packaged in a white rubber box, above, custom-designed by Dror Benshetrit. The first “issue”—available for preview and pre-order starting tomorrow at Chelsea’s Anna Kustera gallery—features a wide range of works, from collages by Gordon Hull of Surface 2 Air and designer Kai Kühne to a Thom Browne fashion shoot by Phil Knott to a handwritten piece by Andrew W.K. And contributors are not limited to the living—The Playground was granted exclusive rights to reproduce a sketch from the archives of architect Paul Rudolph.

Gold and Ragolia say they want the magazine to exist outside the commercial pressures of traditional magazines and galleries, which helps explain the name—“a place where, like children, we can run free and play,” as Gold puts it. The title also helped persuade one of their star contributors to sign on. “I like to swing on kids’ swings at night and go down those snake tunnels,” says artist Terence Koh, who hand-created art for each page. “And it reminds me of my favorite song by Madonna.” Hey, it seemed to work for Vogue.

The Playground, $600, limited run of 250, www.theplaygroundisfun.com; on display through July 20 at Anna Kustera, 520 West 21st St., NYC, (212) 989-0082, www.annakustera.com