Music and art visionary Brian Eno, alongside Amsterdam-born artist and writer Bette A., are set to release a groundbreaking new book titled WHAT ART DOES. This thought-provoking work delves into the function of fictional worlds—from pop songs to detective novels—and offers a fresh perspective on the role art plays in shaping our lives, holding communities together, and fostering creative connections.
Available in a highly anticipated limited edition of 777 signed copies, each book comes with a unique slipcase hand-painted by Eno and Bette A., ensuring that no two are alike. The book will be available exclusively from Metalabel for North American collectors and Enoshop for collectors across Europe and beyond, with shipping beginning on December 3, 2024. For those eager to explore the book’s themes on a budget, a black-and-white PDF will also be available for just £1 during the first seven days after release.
In WHAT ART DOES, Eno and Bette A. examine the seemingly mundane objects and experiences around us—soap operas, shoe tassels, and even haircuts—through the lens of artistic expression. The book proposes new ways of thinking about art, asking essential questions like: Why do we create art? How does it shape our personal and collective experiences? And, most importantly, how does art connect us in ways that transcend everyday life?
The book will be widely available in hardback and ebook formats starting January 16, 2025, through Faber, but the limited edition is likely to become a collector’s item for art and music fans alike. Even more meaningful, all profits from the limited edition and PDF sales will go to charitable causes, supporting Earth Percent, a climate-focused organization co-founded by Brian Eno, and The Heroines! Movement, co-founded by Bette A., which empowers children through storytelling and local women role models.
Both Eno and Bette A. bring a wealth of experience to this collaboration. Brian Eno, renowned for his musical contributions with Roxy Music, Talking Heads, U2, and David Bowie, has also had a prolific career as a visual artist, exhibiting in over 200 international venues. Bette A., with her background in creative writing and social activism, has published novels and continues to contribute to social projects across the globe.
This collaboration offers a rare opportunity to engage with the minds of two influential artists who have spent decades exploring the intersection of creativity, culture, and social change. With WHAT ART DOES, Eno and Bette A. invite readers to reflect on the enduring power of art and its role in shaping the world around us.
You can order it here.
