New York cartoonist and museum lover

Bob Eckstein is a prolific cartoonist, illustrator, best-selling creator and humorist who has contributed The New Yorker since 2007. He can put a hilarious spin on almost any serious social or political issue.

But his latest book, Footnotes from probably the most fascinating museums: stories and unforgettable moments from individuals who love museums (Princeton Architectural Press, 2024) has earned him one other description: museum lover and advocate.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a serious threat to museums around the globe as people isolated themselves and stayed away from indoor spaces. While many vital cultural institutions recovered from their financial losses, others are still reeling. Unfortunately, some have needed to close.

What prompted Eckstein to create an illustrated ode to museums, their visitors and the individuals who work there?

“While I was waiting out the COVID pandemic, I learned how much museums were struggling. I thought I could help,” he says. “Plus, I wanted to spend time working on a book that I would enjoy. Since I love art and learning, it seemed like a perfect fit for me, and it was a dream to visit and illustrate all of our amazing museums.”

Forbes asked Eckstein about his passion for museums and his travel style:

What are your favorite museums and why?

Bob Eckstein: I might give a distinct answer on daily basis of the week depending on my mood. I live next to the quiet Cloisters, the old medieval castle (a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City).

But there’s nothing higher than taking a baby to the American Museum of Natural History for the primary time. I also plan to go to MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) again as soon as my schedule allows. I fell in love with the paintings and sculptures of Anselm Kiefer.

It’s inconceivable to decide on a favourite museum because museums are consistently changing. I’ve visited no less than a dozen and hope to return someday. I have not grown bored with museums – my love for them has only grown. I would add that a few of them may be tourist traps. None of those are within the book.

Aside from the quirky artwork featured in the brand new book, are museums inherently fun?

BE: Museums are like people. Each has its own personality. To survive, they need to be organic – evolving and changing to stay interesting and relevant.

In this context, a museum can sometimes be just a little quirky to turn into more attractive or entertaining. Some museums aren’t funny in any respect (e.g. the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles).

Much relies on the person and the way they interpret what they soak up. Ideally, museums have different meanings for various people.

Did you manage to go to all 75 museums described within the book?

BE: Although I might have loved to, it was logistically inconceivable to go to each museum in person. I might have loved to guage all of the museums within the country – there are over 37,000 – but I could not have done that in my lifetime.

Because museums are so scattered, I needed to delegate and trust others. My system was that there was no system. I visited as many museums as I could in person, sometimes three in someday, and spoke to as many museum staff, curators and visitors as I could.

My family, friends and social media followers all pitched in. And then there was a team on the front lines that worked really hard: my wife, my agent and editors… a number of work went into this project. Spreadsheets and piles of knowledge were collected. From that, I selected the highest 150 museums to deal with and investigate in additional detail, after which I split them in half. That’s how the highest 75 and their best stories were chosen out of a whole bunch.

How did you create so many illustrations that tempt the reader to tear them out of the book and hang them on the wall?

BE: Looking back, I do not know the way I managed to finish so many illustrations. I slept little or no and worked very long hours. There is little doubt in my mind that I might not have finished without the assistance of so many individuals.

This book had a number of moving parts. In addition to creating over 150 illustrations and writing the book, I spent an infinite period of time with lawyers and the legal departments of the assorted museums. I assumed the book would never be finished since it was mired in red tape.

Based in your overall experience, how should someone latest to the museum approach a visit?

BE: Since everyone seems to be different, their personal walking ability and a focus span will determine how much they will manage. I highly recommend checking the museum’s website to seek out out about special event and exhibition opening times and to envision if there are multiple museums in the identical area which you could visit on the identical day. Purchasing tickets prematurely is just not essential unless it’s a special exhibition.

Be open-minded. Museums can aid you discover stuff you never knew you could be drawn to.

What is your favorite sort of vacation?

BE: I forgot. I have not had a non-working holiday in a really very long time as a consequence of unavoidable circumstances including health issues, COVID-related caregiving, and the responsibilities I even have between teaching, speaking, working, and trying to provide books.

I do know what that appears like. Others may say, “Your life IS a vacation. You make a living doing what you love.” I’m lucky. I feel blessed, but I have not sat and watched a movie or laid on the beach or whatever in a protracted time.

Today I woke up at 2am to write down a story, took a nap, and was back at work at 8am. Had meetings until lunch, then began teaching. Worked for just a few hours and now I’m in bed at 9pm doing interviews until I literally go to sleep in the course of it… Zzz (I’m kidding. I’m back.)

These days, if now we have a sensible budget, we expect we’ll drive somewhere every time we get away. We’re heading north, probably toward the Adirondacks. I prefer the cold. I’m the world’s leading snowman expert (and creator of the classic, The illustrated story of the snowman.)

How would you describe your packing style?

BE: Unplanned. And weird on longer trips. Toiletries at all times stay within the suitcase so I do not have to fret about them… but I never check what I’ve used for the reason that last business trip. All clothes are rolled up. Suits are ruined because I’m not good with garment bags.

I made it a habit to go to Las Vegas yearly (when it was still implausible and kitschy and never all the things was replaced by theater and company balls) and at the identical time organize my spring cleansing.

Here’s the way it worked: I packed all the things I owned that was worn right down to the threads. I played tennis, swam, and sat in it while gambling. At the top of every day, I threw the shabby clothes within the trash. Since I never dressed up, there was never any danger of being robbed. It was my very own approach to traveling.

Recently, I accompanied my mother and sister on a cruise. It was the one time I ever went on a cruise. I used my “throwaway packing method.” My family was horrified by my clothes and insisted I run out and buy underwear in St. Thomas. But once we returned home, they were impressed. They lugged heavy suitcases filled with smelly clothes and I had nothing but a small bag of private items, having even thrown away my battered luggage. This unique travel strategy remains to be debated to today.

Do you have got a travel uniform?

BE: [spit take] Unless you concentrate on holey sneakers and underwear to be a uniform.

What item are you most certainly to forget?

BE: A suit. I even have an unconscious aversion to dressing formally. No one, I mean nobody, has given more toasts or eulogies in shorts. I once went to a marriage at a elaborate hotel and left my tuxedo at home and needed to borrow someone’s suit. In my defense, I never desired to go, and so they’re second cousins ​​I’ll never see again — despite the fact that I did give them one in every of those overpriced, fancy German vacuum cleaners. One of my biggest regrets.

However, the item I’m most certainly to forget isn’t any longer an issue. I’m trying something latest: micro-travel. It began with trips to the kitchen, getting away from the pc and iPhone, and now I walk three miles a day with my wife and stroll through the Cloisters. People travel here from all around the world, so I even have to recollect to not take my local museum as a right.

And finally: Do you have already got an idea concerning the topic of your next book?

BE: I’m currently working on three books, a movie script, a set of museum postcards and a humorous card game for writers. One of the books is a group of portraits of our biggest writers and their cats and will likely be published in 2025.

Read more about Bob Eckstein

Note: This conversation has been evenly edited and condensed for clarity.