"What Art Does" by Brian Eno and Bette A.
A new theory of art and a landmark new release
Today we’re excited to introduce a new work by one of the world’s most innovative artists: an original new book from Brian Eno and Bette A., available exclusively on Metalabel and Enoshop.
A limited, special edition new book by Brian Eno and Bette A. available to ship from Metalabel and Enoshop on 3rd December 2024
Drawing on his experience as an artist, Brian Eno is releasing his book on art, made in collaboration with Bette A.
WHAT ART DOES examines the function of fictional worlds — such as pop songs, detective novels, soap operas, shoe tassels and the hidden language of haircuts — and suggests a new theory of art.
Why do we do it? How does it help us? And how does it hold us all together?
WHAT ART DOES is a full-color illustrated hardback book, initially available in a limited edition of 777 signed copies. Each copy comes with its own unique slipcase hand-painted by Brian and Bette A (see above).
This limited edition will be available exclusively from Metalabel for North American collectors and Enoshop for collectors in the rest of the world. North American collectors can purchase from Metalabel here. Collectors outside of North America can purchase an edition on Enoshop here.
Alternatively, a very affordable black-and white PDF will be available in December after the initial release of the limited edition for seven days. Hardcover and ebook editions will be available in wide release from Faber on January 16 2025.
All profits from the limited edition book and PDF will go to the charities Earth Percent and Heroines! Movement (more below).
Brian Eno is an artist. He was born in Suffolk and studied art at Ipswich and Winchester art colleges. After art school he joined the band Roxy Music and over the next five decades he continued to make music with others including Talking Heads, Devo, U2, Laurie Anderson, James, David Byrne, Coldplay, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Jon Hassell, Harold Budd and Fred Again. Brian’s visual art has been shown internationally in over 200 venues. He is involved in activist work, such as the climate charity Earth Percent and HardArt, both of which he co-founded, and Stop The War coalition. Brian often lectures, trying to answer the question: What does art do?
Bette A. is an artist, born in Amsterdam. As a child she liked to write plays and her primary school teachers allowed her to practise them in the gymnasium. She joined a youth theatre group in her hometown. Bette continued to study Image and Language at the Gerrit Rietveld Art Academy of Amsterdam, where she learned to follow wild ideas. After doing a Master in Creative Writing at Oxford University she started writing in both English and Dutch, and published her novels ‘Rus Like Everyone Else’ and ‘What’s Mine’. Aside from writing novels, Bette makes short stories and drawings, and teaches in art schools. In 2019 Bette co-founded TRQSE - a network of artists and scientists who work together on social projects.
Through this network Bette met Brian. They started collaborating on social projects and talking about art. Their conversations led to working together on 'What Art Does', assembling the ideas Brian has developed during his working life and turning them into a book.
Brian, Bette, and Metalabel became acquainted through our work together with Hard Art, and discovered a mutual kinship and expansive thinking about art and creative work. This is our first release together.
Excellent to have a collector's item of great beauty as well as a wildly affordable pdf full of the core intelligence held within. Thank you!
love this concept and collab!!