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ted.com

14

May

2010

Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian

By Maria Popova

What shark attacks and the New York art world have to do with Shakespearean codependence.

Since 1993, artist Nina Katchadourian has been sifting through library collections and remixing their holdings in a delightfully unconventional way. Her ongoing Sorted Books project constructs irreverent, humorous and witty sentences by arranging a stack of books so that their titles can be read from top to bottom or left to right.

Katchadourian has scoured private collections and public libraries alike, for a total of over 130 book clusters to date. Sometimes kooky, sometimes snarky, and always entertaining, her stacked sentences span the entire spectrum of slapstick humor and subtle social commentary.

So witty is Katchadourian’s micro-comedy that we couldn’t restrain a few spontaneous chuckles. But what makes the series so powerful is the way these pithy quips and laconic snippets of narrative allow the viewer to construct complete stories around them, capturing in just a few words entire situational plotlines in this brilliantly innovative storytelling experiment.

Explore the entire Sorted Books for more fun than you ever thought you’d have with Shakespeare.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 12:00 am in art, culture and was tagged , , , , .

63 Responses

  1. RT @BrainPickings: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian: What shark attacks and the New York art world have to do with Sha… http://bit.ly/cXwJRG

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jrmurguia on May 13th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

  2. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    brainpicker on May 14th, 2010 at 8:30 am

  3. RT @brainpicker: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ashleystrain on May 14th, 2010 at 1:37 am

  4. Love this idea: RT @brainpicker The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ebooks on May 14th, 2010 at 8:41 am

  5. RT @brainpicker: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    haggis2 on May 14th, 2010 at 1:49 am

  6. Neat. O. RT @brainpicker: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian –brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    KammieK on May 14th, 2010 at 2:01 am

  7. Hi all— what a nice thing to see this link today, I just learned of it. I appreciate the thoughtful write-up and commentary very much. Cheers! Thanks, Brainpickings, for that boost to my day. -Nina

    Nina Katchadourian on May 14th, 2010 at 9:47 am

  8. Nina:

    My pleasure. Love your work – honored to have you stop by. Cheers.

    Maria Popova on May 14th, 2010 at 9:53 am

  9. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://j.mp/de2lRM Brilliant!

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    paradisetossed on May 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am

  10. RT @paradisetossed Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://j.mp/de2lRM Brilliant!

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    whyowhyvonne on May 14th, 2010 at 3:06 am

  11. sorted books. A smart, creative and funny project that took special vision http://bit.ly/aZVdF7

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    inakiescudero on May 14th, 2010 at 3:22 am

  12. Sorted Books: Pithy & hilarious narratives constructed from book titles, artfully arranged http://tinyurl.com/34tycxv (via @paradisetossed)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    KateSherrod on May 14th, 2010 at 10:29 am

  13. RT @KateSherrod: Pithy & hilarious narratives constructed from book titles artfuly arranged http://tinyurl.com/34tycxv (via @paradisetossed)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ghostfinder on May 14th, 2010 at 10:32 am

  14. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    YasminMarisa on May 14th, 2010 at 3:40 am

  15. book title poetry! RT @brainpickings Sorted Books: … http://bit.ly/cXwJRG

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    mymindonbooks on May 14th, 2010 at 4:29 am

  16. Nina Katchadourian’s witty “Sorted Books” art project. http://ow.ly/1L8MR via @brainpicker (+ blogged: http://ow.ly/1L8Uw)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jonathanalger on May 14th, 2010 at 11:45 am

  17. RT @KateSherrod: Sorted Books: Pithy & hilarious narratives constructed from book titles, artfully arranged http://tinyurl.com/34tycxv ( …

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Kouban on May 14th, 2010 at 5:01 am

  18. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    librarian_kate on May 14th, 2010 at 12:54 pm

  19. If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    brainpicker on May 14th, 2010 at 1:05 pm

  20. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    michaelpcollier on May 14th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

  21. My next step, after color coding. Thanks! @brainpicker RT: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    pritharaysircar on May 14th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

  22. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    DesignObserver on May 14th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

  23. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    camsarah on May 14th, 2010 at 1:16 pm

  24. If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA /via @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    id29 on May 14th, 2010 at 6:17 am

  25. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    bartonelli on May 14th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

  26. @leticiastallone: RT @brainpicker If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    davitferreira on May 14th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

  27. RT @brainpicker If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    EricaSorensen on May 14th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

  28. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – funny project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ClosedStacks on May 14th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

  29. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    atlantic_photo on May 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

  30. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    steeltoecap on May 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

  31. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    graphicbeans on May 14th, 2010 at 6:32 am

  32. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    CatiaJOliveira on May 14th, 2010 at 6:48 am

  33. Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA / via @designobserver

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    mdilone on May 14th, 2010 at 7:11 am

  34. RT @brainpicker: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    openculture on May 14th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

  35. I love Sorted Books RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    shaynehouse on May 14th, 2010 at 2:37 pm

  36. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ladyjovanna on May 14th, 2010 at 7:40 am

  37. Titles alphabetized to make sentences RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    willy6shoes on May 14th, 2010 at 2:49 pm

  38. Nina Katchadourian sorts the titles of stacked book spines into sly, subversive haikus. Genius! RT @brainpicker http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    cschmicks on May 14th, 2010 at 2:51 pm

  39. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – http://tinyurl.com/34tycxv – @brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ModDigitalGal on May 14th, 2010 at 7:54 am

  40. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    siskinpress on May 14th, 2010 at 3:02 pm

  41. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    fluffymaccoy on May 14th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

  42. Sorted Books: at last, a library with funny bone and no ’shhhhh!’-ing: http://bit.ly/aZVdF7 PS I’m an ex-librarian (via@DesignObserver)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    BeaTomes on May 14th, 2010 at 8:04 am

  43. Fun with #books even whilst not reading them: “1984 – The End of Sex – What are you doing for the rest of your life?” http://bit.ly/caKPj5

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    sanjeevn on May 14th, 2010 at 8:43 am

  44. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    hirenhindocha on May 14th, 2010 at 9:46 am

  45. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    harveymilk on May 14th, 2010 at 6:28 pm

  46. RT @harveymilk: RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA / ok I heart the finger pointing.

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    ms_trese on May 14th, 2010 at 11:32 am

  47. RT @brainpicker: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – brilliant project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    kayak175 on May 14th, 2010 at 11:47 am

  48. Especially to @sacredmusick RT: @nazlim: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX #brainpicker

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    fragileangel on May 14th, 2010 at 2:06 pm

  49. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Crisstinush on May 14th, 2010 at 4:57 pm

  50. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Estrella_51 on May 14th, 2010 at 8:14 pm

  51. RT @brainpicker: If you missed it ? Sorted Books. Brilliant. http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    Estrella_51 on May 15th, 2010 at 3:14 am

  52. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    argentbeauquest on May 14th, 2010 at 11:55 pm

  53. RT @argentbeauquest: RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    paul_steele on May 14th, 2010 at 11:59 pm

  54. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX RT @brainpicker #books

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    goOodmorning_ on May 15th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

  55. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX RT @brainpicker & @goOodmorning_

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    martin_isaac on May 15th, 2010 at 9:41 am

  56. “Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian” via Brainpickings http://bit.ly/cBW6gc

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    CammiesThoughts on May 16th, 2010 at 12:33 am

  57. Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian | Brain Pickings http://bit.ly/aWDc9W

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    blogofinnocence on May 16th, 2010 at 9:00 am

  58. RT @ClosedStacks: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian – funny project by artist Nina Katchadourian http://is.gd/c8QvA

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    RingwoodLibrary on May 16th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

  59. rt @blogofinnocence: Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian | Brain Pickings http://bit.ly/aWDc9W

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    VinaMist on May 16th, 2010 at 3:33 pm

  60. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    WanderingBowl on May 18th, 2010 at 1:08 pm

  61. RT @brainpicker Sorted Books: The Library as a Standup Comedian http://bit.ly/aS50KX

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    meeshmiish on May 19th, 2010 at 1:33 pm

  62. Pra quem curte design de livros – http://is.gd/c8QvA
    (via @brainpicker)

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

    jblago on May 23rd, 2010 at 8:26 pm

  63. [...] Brain Pickings   • Impulse • By: Justina Horn tweet this! share! a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl=location.href; Andy Warhol Book Books Buch Skulptur Related posts:Glowing Watch [...]

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